George Russell has insisted he is remaining patient when it comes to achieving success with Mercedes in Formula 1, citing that he is certain his “time will come” soon enough.
Russell’s promotion to the parent Mercedes team in 2022 came with the expectation that he would be in instant title contention based on the squad’s previous track record.
Mercedes had been the dominant force in the sport prior to the Briton’s return, having won an unrivalled eight consecutive Constructors’ Championships from 2014 to 2021.
But the German marque has been unable to replicate that success since the reversion to ground effect cars, managing five victories combined across the past three seasons.
However, Russell, who prevailed in two races last year, isn’t growing irritated with his prolonged wait to be equipped with a package to mount a challenge for the title.
Even in the circumstance where Mercedes comes up short again in 2025, Russell, providing he earns an extension, harbours optimism that his patience will be rewarded.
“I know my time will come,” Russell told the BBC. “And I’ve just got to ensure that I keep on performing. And whether it’s this year or next year, it’ll come.
“And if I keep delivering those results, as I did over these last three years against the best driver of all time, I believe I will get myself in the fight and hopefully a Championship to my name.”
Russell ‘proud’ of Mercedes record against Hamilton
As he alluded to, Russell’s optimism that he has the essential credentials to claim the ultimate prize in the sport emanates from how he stacked up against Lewis Hamilton.
Russell outscored the seven-time F1 champion twice in their three seasons together, leading him to concede he has been unfortunate not to have a title to his name.
“The results speak for themselves,” he said. “And I don’t have anything I need to prove or show. I am proud of the results I’ve achieved going up against somebody like Lewis.
“At the end of 2021, statistically and in terms of perception, Lewis was the greatest of all time.
“And I’ve had three years against the greatest of all time, and I finished ahead of him two out of the three years I had as team-mates.
“And finished ahead more times in quali and more times in the race. If this was a different time or a different era, if you finish ahead of Lewis Hamilton, you’re a World Champion.”
Russell denies pressure relating to ‘new chapter’ at Mercedes
Hamilton’s bombshell departure to Ferrari has prompted Mercedes to embark on a “new chapter” in 2025 with rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli slotting in alongside Russell.
But although he is taken on the mantle as the senior leader within the team, Russell denied that has heightened the pressure on him heading into the upcoming campaign.
“This is turning a page. It’s a new chapter,” he acknowledged. “And I don’t suddenly feel any additional responsibility.
“He’s a great kid. He’s very young, but he’s a really nice guy. Super-fast, of course.
“Being thrown in at the deep end, which is going to be a big challenge. But in terms of raw speed, I don’t think you can question it. And there’s going to be an interesting new dynamic.”
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