It’s secure to say ‘s time at hasn’t gone as he had imagined it. Coming off the again of an uber-dominant period led by , Russell hoped the Silver Arrows would kick off the 2022 System 1 guidelines period in comparable vein, solely to be hamstrung by a recalcitrant and bouncy lineage of vehicles that Mercedes did not get a constant tune out of.
However amid Mercedes highs and lows over the previous few campaigns, Russell confirmed he has what it takes to choose up the baton from the departed Hamilton, and delivered his greatest and most constant season but in 2025. After witnessing seize a world title final 12 months, will Russell now lastly get his flip in 12 months 5 of his Mercedes stint?
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Ronald Vording – Russell can capitalise on his expertise and consistency
When occupied with ’s 2025 marketing campaign, the phrase that involves thoughts is consistency. Within the ground-effect period, Mercedes didn’t (but) have the equipment to battle for the most important prizes, however Russell as a person proved to be remarkably constant, and at a excessive stage.
That’s precisely what’s required for his first F1 title battle and it seems that alternative has now arrived – at the very least if Mercedes delivers on the potential that nearly everybody within the paddock attributes to Toto Wolff’s crew and its energy unit. remains to be studying, so this appears to be the 12 months for Russell to capitalise on his extra expertise, very similar to Norris did final 12 months in comparison with .
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As for the scores, I really feel Russell ought to rating greater by way of consistency than in some other class. His tempo just isn’t far behind, though by way of outright velocity I’ve nonetheless positioned him under , and (marginally) Norris. Due to some incidents in earlier years, his racecraft nonetheless leaves some room for enchancment, though that side may turn into simpler if this 12 months’s Mercedes proves to be as aggressive as anticipated.
Stuart Codling – F1’s Powerpoint king might have discovered his metier
When it comes to one-lap tempo, maybe over a race distance too, I might nonetheless charge Charles Leclerc as having a little bit of an edge over Russell. However not an enormous one – final 12 months Russell actually advanced as a competitor, and would possibly even have been nearer to the last word championship battle had Mercedes not gone down a blind alley with its rear suspension.
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Famously, Russell made his pitch to affix Merc’s junior driver programme with the help of a PowerPoint presentation. He’s the form of driver who will fortunately use any technological device to equip himself with a aggressive edge.
Insiders say Russell has thrown himself into the simulator programme with a relentless vitality over the winter, exploring as many permutations of the energy-management rigmarole as he can to organize himself for making the method computerized in terms of race conditions. It’s possible he’s the best-prepared of all of the drivers as they embark on what will likely be an eventful journey beneath the brand new regs.
Additionally, Hamilton likes a steady automobile beneath braking, and this isn’t what he’s going to get with the flighty 2026 machines, together with the not-always-predictable results of the electrical motor harvesting beneath deceleration. Disgrace, however the formulation continues to maneuver away from his talent set.
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George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Jake Boxall-Legge – No surprise Russell is the bookies’ favorite
The early proof means that Mercedes has a superb opportunity at combating for normal victories in 2026. If that is the case, anticipate Russell to spearhead the crew’s hopes at capturing a primary drivers’ title since 2020, as he seeks to hold over final season’s momentum. At 28 and embarking on his eighth season in F1, Russell ought to be in his prime – and he is acquired the psychological bandwidth and acuity to make a hit of the 2026 laws.
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He ought to be capable to get on phrases with a automobile with a little bit bit much less downforce than earlier than – in any case, he did drive the 2019 for a 12 months – and the equipment at his disposal ought to be one of many main vehicles of the 2026 order. No surprise he is the bookies’ favorite.
How our ranking system works
To set the drivers aside, we now have taken inspiration from the official F1 sport to attribute scores in 4 completely different classes, out of a most of 100.
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Expertise (EXP): An goal rating merely primarily based on the motive force’s expertise stage by way of complete race begins Racecraft (RAC): The driving force’s potential to race wheel to wheel, both to defend a place or pull off a decisive overtake, with out touchdown themselves in bother with the stewards Consistency (CON): The driving force’s potential to maintain clear, keep away from unforced errors whereas being persistently fast in a race Tempo (PAC): Displays a driver’s tempo over one lap, largely in relation to their team-mate General Score (OVR): The 4 above classes will likely be mixed into an general ranking, weighted in the direction of Tempo. Learn Additionally:
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