George Russell confident in Mercedes’ progress but finds McLaren favourites

Melbourne: George Russell believes that Mercedes have taken a step forward with their new Formula 1 challenger for the 2025 season but admits that McLaren is “without doubt the favourites” heading into the Australian Grand Prix. Mercedes endured a mixed 2024 campaign, showing flashes of brilliance with four race wins, including a 1-2 finish in Las Vegas, but also struggling with inconsistency, ultimately finishing fourth in the Constructors’ Championship behind McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull.

After pre-season testing in Bahrain, Russell is optimistic about Mercedes’ progress but remains cautious. “I mean, the car is feeling good, to be honest,” Russell said on media day. “Last year, even though we finished in the lowest order that we have done in the last three years, we won the most number of races. I have confidence that this car is going to be slightly more consistent, not quite as peaky.”

Russell admitted that while Mercedes may not hit the extreme highs of last season, such as their dominant victory in Las Vegas, he hopes to see fewer low points as well. “We might not see those mega highs like we saw in Vegas, sort of wiping the floor with everybody, but then hopefully we’re not going to see those lows as well that we saw at a few races,” he explained. IANS

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