GEORGE Russell has made clear for his ambition to challenge four-time world champion Max Verstappen for the 2026 Formula One world drivers’ championship.
The British driver is currently being viewed second favourite for the title following the Barcelona shakedown week, where teams gathered for behind closed doors running of their new cars following the new technical regulations, with Mercedes emerging as front runners as one of the early favourites ahead of the new regulations.
“I mean I’d love for it to turn out that way, and I do want to go head-to-head with Max [Verstappen]” Russel said when quizzed on what he wants out of the season.
“So the truth is there could be a good fight on our hands, but we’re satisfied with what we’ve experienced so far.”
“…it seems like the other power unit manufacturers have done a good job and we know that Red Bull have always had an amazing car, even through the years of dominance of Mercedes it was their engine that was letting them down, not their car.”
The 27-year-old is prepping for is eighth season in F1 but has yet to be seen as a real title contender.
His rival, Max Verstappen has a competitive debut for Red Bull’s first power-unit, with them still seeming highly competitive.
Mercedes completed the most laps during the shakedown at an astonishing 500,proving their cars reliability from the onset.
The Brackley based teams start to the season was plagued by protests from several competitors regarding an engine loophole they discovered and implemented for the design of the W17, team principal Toto Wolff has urged his squad to remain “focused on themselves”.
Picture sources: Creative Commons – Heute
