After three years of purgatory in Williams, 2022 will be the year of truth for George Russell. The 2018 Formula 2 champion will finally have the chance to drive the Mercedes W13 all season and will have to withstand the pressure of being at the same level as a seven-time world champion like Lewis Hamilton.
Russell has already shown in recent years that he is an excellent qualifier, reaching Q3 several times with Williams, and in the only opportunity to drive the Mercedes (in 2020 in Sakhir) he came close to success before a mess in the pits made him go back to ninth place.
After disputing the end-of-season tests at the wheel of the W12, Russell spoke about the season that will start in March in Bahrain and indicated that Ferrari and McLaren are two rivals not to be underestimated and eager for redemption.
“A team like Ferrari, which has had two difficult years, will be starving. Thanks above all to the regulatory change, I am sure they will be back in the fight and I think the same will happen to McLaren as well ”.
“These teams have everything to fight for success: infrastructure, talented engineers and really strong drivers.”
George Russell, Mercedes W10
Photo by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Images
According to the English driver, in addition to the renewed challenge between Mercedes and Red Bull, there will be at least three other teams capable of fighting for the victories. For Russell, however, the key to the season will depend on how well the teams develop their cars in a year where the regulatory revolution and the budget cap could really make a difference.
“I believe there will be five teams capable of doing something special next year. We must be careful not to underestimate anyone and the key to success will be the ability to develop the car ”.
“It will not be about having the fastest car in the tests or in the first race. Everything will depend on who will be able to understand the car better and will be able to develop it over the course of the season starting from an excellent foundation “.
“I think all the teams will make great progress from the first to the last race of the season.”
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