George Russell has been one of the standout drivers of the 2025 Formula 1 season so far. He’s only 14 points off championship leader Lando Norris despite a clear pace disadvantage.
Russell has shown immense consistency, the only driver to finish in the top five in every qualifying session and race. The Mercedes star scored three podiums, including a season-best P2 in Bahrain last time out.
The Englishman initially qualified on the front row alongside Oscar Piastri before receiving a one-place grid penalty for a red-flag restart breach. But he regained second during the race and held off a charging Lando Norris in the final laps.
Rookie teammate Kimi Antonelli has made an impressive start, but he hasn’t beaten Russell in any competitive session so far. The Englishman can be satisfied that he’s maximised the potential of the W16.
Martin Brundle admires the confidence of Mercedes star George Russell
Speaking on Sky Sports before FP1 at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, pundit Martin Brundle praised Russell’s mindset. His Mercedes contract is up at the end of the season.
Given the standard of his performances – he beat seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton last year – it’s perhaps a surprise that Toto Wolff hasn’t tied him down already. The delay has been tied to Mercedes’ reported interest in Max Verstappen.
Verstappen is going for a fifth straight title this year and has already established himself as an all-time great. But Russell doesn’t think anyone on the grid is better than him.
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Brundle admires the unshakeable confidence of the former Williams driver. It stands in stark contrast to Norris, who’s also started 132 races but has openly shared his self-doubt.
“I think George has got so much confidence [that] he feels he could be president of the world,” Brundle said. “And I admire that about him – I don’t say that in a negative way.”
Sebastian Vettel heaps praise on George Russell’s start to 2025
Davide Valsecchi says Russell remains underrated even though he’s won three races and stood on the podium 18 times. He hasn’t yet a card good enough to compete for the title.
Toto Wolff has ruled out Mercedes winning the championship this year, even though there are still 20 races to go. They may be tempted to prioritise the 2026 regulation changes.
F1 legend Sebastian Vettel is clearly a huge fan of Russell, having called his start to the season ‘superb’. He previously picked him to be the sport’s next new champion.
After Verstappen’s painful Bahrain weekend, Russell can certainly target P3 in the championship. That would be the best showing of his career so far.
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