Formula One driver George Russell evaluated his progress in Mercedes after finishing the second season with the team.
Mercedes F1 driver George Russell joined Mercedes before 2022 to replace Valtteri Bottas and drive alongside the seven-time World Champion, Lewis Hamilton.
Driving alongside one of the best and most experienced drivers on the grid is not an easy task, but Russell handled it very well and exceeded everybody's expectations in 2022.
The 25-year-old beat his experienced teammate in the Drivers' Championship by 35 points and finished two positions higher in fourth place.
In 2022, Russell scored an incredible 20 top-five finishes and a maiden F1 win during the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. However, the 2023 did not go as well for the Brit.
This time, Russell lost to Hamilton in the Driver's Championship by 59 points and five positions after a season during which he never achieved results he felt "were deserved."
When asked to compare the super 2022 season with a bit scratchy 2023 season, Russell told the media it is something he still needs to look into.
"It’s definitely something I'm going to look at over the winter. The results were so smooth-flowing last year, I think we finished in the top five more than any other driver."
Mercedes team scored eight podiums this season, and only 2 of those were achieved by the 25-year-old. The strange thing is, that Russell feels he improved in all aspects of his driving.
"And this year, I feel that I've upped my game in my quali pace and upped my game in my race pace, and we've definitely been on the backfoot."
On the other hand, competition has become much more fierce, with McLaren, Aston Martin, and Ferrari all competing for the podium at multiple Grand Prix races. Russell added:
"But we definitely have more competition this year. With McLaren joining the fight in the second half, Aston being there at the start of the season. But ultimately… eyes on next year."
Mercedes has been only the fourth fastest team in the second half of the 2023 season, so he and Mercedes have much to do to be competitive in 2024.
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