George Russell: My approach to the matter does not change.

      George Russell is in his eighth season in Formula 1, and considering that the Mercedes team is confidently leading at the start of the season, it is quite logical to assume that the 28-year-old British driver has a better chance at the title than his far less experienced teammate, Kimi Antonelli. And although after three races the personal standings are led by the 19-year-old Italian, George is not fazed by this and is confident that the situation can still change.

      “If you work hard to achieve a certain goal, it’s rare that you only get one chance to stand out the entire time,” Russell reflected in an interview with CNN. “I hope this isn’t my only opportunity, but this year I intend to make the most of it. The sharpness of competition is still something I really love; I need it in my life, it motivates me, it’s what I enjoy most about Formula 1.

      Kimi is a great driver, and I got a good sense last year of how talented and fast he is. And to have a start to the season like he has now is something to dream about. As for me, I know what I’m capable of, and there’s still a long way to go in the championship. My approach doesn’t change; I keep working hard, trying to build my pace.”

      According to David Coulthard, a former Formula 1 driver, Russell's task now is to draw his teammate into psychological games and shake his confidence, but George disagrees.

      "That’s not my style," he stated. "Certainly, Lewis Hamilton has won a lot in his life and has always won fairly and honorably, although there have been other great champions who preferred various kinds of games and all that. I know what principles I adhere to, I know what kind of person I am, and I don’t need to use such methods to win."

      Russell, who leads the GPDA, a kind of union for Formula 1 drivers, also shared his opinion on the new regulations that will come into effect in 2026:

      “If we look at it from a neutral standpoint, the races are very interesting, and our task is simply to find a way to make qualifying more enjoyable for the drivers and to think less about tactics.

      I’ve been in a similar situation. We didn’t like the previous generation of cars, which were prone to bouncing, and it wasn’t just that they weren’t too pleasant to drive – it also negatively affected our physical condition. At the same time, we weren’t winning races, which only heightened our frustration.

      In the end, there have only been three races under the new regulations, and it will be in effect for another three or four years, so everything needs time.”