In 2024, George Russell, closes the drivers' championship with a collection of 245 points and a victory, achieved in Austrian Grand Prix. When the announcement comes that to replace Lewis Hamilton he would have been a rookie, it was immediately clear that Russell would have taken on the role of lead driver Mercedes. At the dawn of the 2025 season, George Russell, conquers the podium in both Grand Prix disputed, thus occupying the third position in the drivers' standings. And just one point away from the four-time world champion. This brings to everyone's mind the question: George Russell is he the clever guy that everyone underestimates?
Although in recent seasons, George Russell has not always managed to emerge, also due to a very cumbersome teammate, in this new Formula 1 season, he seems to have really taken the reins of the team. Covered with the right attention and on board a more competitive car, Russell does not suffer from the gap from his direct rivals.
Toto Wolff's Confidence
Toto wolff has no doubts. Russell has all the cards on the table to become champion. The team principal declared: “Russell is in the top three, if not the top two, maybe he’s on his way to being the top one.”
It is clear that this year, the team principal of the Mercedes, is investing a lot of the team's efforts to take Russell to the next level. It may be too early to say, after all, only two races have been completed. But if Russell remains consistent throughout the season, despite mistakes made by others, he could really be in contention for the world title.
When two fight, the third one enjoys: the 2024 Austrian GP
A great driver, but also a great strategist, George Russell always knows how to turn situations of general chaos to his advantage. The 2024 Austrian GP is a clear example, where Russell was able to take advantage of the fight between Verstappen and Norris, earning a surprising first place.
And this season too, Russell seems fully intent on cleverly filling the gaps left by the other teams. We have no doubts that if the fight between the two drivers Mclaren should it get tougher, Russell would be able to take advantage of it, making himself noticed among the top positions.
A sample between the lines
Fast in qualifying, consistent in the race, precise in his strategies, and yet no one seems to fear him. This could be George Russell's ace in the hole, being the clever guy that everyone underestimates, the one who allows him to sneak in between the mistakes of others, almost never suffering direct duels. The gap with the leaders is still too wide for the rest of the grid, and yet the British driver doesn't seem to be intimidated by this. He keeps his breath on their necks and Norris and Piastri they don't seem to have noticed.
If the team continues to give Russell the competitive car he deserves, it will take little time before everyone realizes what a formidable opponent he is. But the 2025 season is just beginning and there are still many kilometers to go, we will continue to see George Russell on the podium so often? And above all, could he really become the guarantee of the Fantamanagers this year?
