Russell After Unsuccessful Season: 'My Confidence Hasn’t Been Dented Whatsoever'
F1Monday, 04 December 2023 at 00:00
Mercedes driver George Russell discussed the 2023 season and his team's car development progress ahead of 2024.
Mercedes F1 team finished the 2023 season second in the Constructors' Championship, separated by only 3 points from Ferrari in third place after a close battle in the last race of the season - the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
While the team improved on its Constructors' Championship position from 2022, Mercedes collected 106 points less in 2023. However, George Russell believes the team is in a better place now. He told the Telegraph:
"I certainly think we’re in a better place now than we were 12 months ago. We’ve been working towards our new car concept for a number of months."
Russell's teammate Lewis Hamilton recently told the media he was convinced Mercedes finally found its North Star and knows where to go. Russell shared a similar opinion:
"We’ve cross-checked everything 1,000 times, and we’re all very confident. There’s no doubt Red Bull will start the season on top."
Red Bull has a headstart in terms of development because it had the fastest car at the end of the season, and the team was also able to focus on next year's car quite earlier compared to others.
However, the 25-year-old suggested the gap that we might see at the beginning of 2024 will come down eventually. Russell shared his excitement:
"But it is a long season. It starts earlier than ever and finishes later than ever. Things can change. For my part, I’m excited. I feel good within myself."
While the 2023 season wasn't the best for the Mercedes driver, he says his confidence "hasn’t been dented whatsoever" as he looks forward to 2024.
"And next year is a clean slate for everybody. I hope for a season where I can perform and get the results as I did in 2022, or at least maximize results as I did in 2022. My confidence hasn’t been dented whatsoever."
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