George Russell: I believe I can win the title.

      George Russell is optimistic about the new season, his first as Mercedes' leader, but admits that McLaren still has the advantage.…

      George Russell: "I know my time will come. It doesn't matter if it's this season or next, it's coming. If I continue to show the same results as I have in the last three years, when my team-mate was the best driver of all time, I believe I can fight for the title and become champion.

      The results speak for themselves. I don't have to prove anything anymore. I'm proud of the results against my teammate – I finished ahead two out of three years, both in qualifying and in racing. In another time or another era, if you had finished ahead of Lewis Hamilton, you would have become world champion.

      Lewis's move to Ferrari seemed to turn the page. A new chapter has begun. And I don't feel any additional responsibility because I became the "number one" of the team. Kimi Antonelli is a great guy. He is very young and incredibly fast. This year, he will immediately find himself in the thick of things, which may be a problem for him. But there is no doubt about his speed. An interesting season awaits us.

      I've been racing with Charles Leclair since I was in karting. He is a fantastic racer. I wonder how their confrontation with Lewis in Ferrari will turn out. For the last six years, Leclair has been number one at the Scuderia, and I think their results will be very close.

      Is Verstappen's possible move to Mercedes? I don't think about it. All I need to do is keep doing what I've been doing throughout my career. The arrival of Max or another racer will not change anything. I am responsible only for myself and my results. I want to compete with the best and I don't think anyone doubts my abilities.

      Our relationship with Max? I don't know how to just stand there and be bullied. People always seem to retreat before him. But not me. I'm not here to be the best friend of a world champion. I'm here to win. And he has the same mentality. I've never been afraid to compete with Max. I've always struggled with him.

      I don't think any of us have a car capable of beating McLaren right now. She's the strongest at the moment. Their racing pace is especially impressive. We are gradually progressing, but we have a lot to add."