Russell 'Not Too Bitter' Amid Verstappen Comparison As He Believes His Time Will Come

Saturday, 30 December 2023 at 07:00

George Russell recently compared his progress in F1 to the World Champions like Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso, suggesting his "time will come."

George Russell just finished his fifth season in Formula One and his second season in Mercedes. According to some, he made a step back compared to the previous season as he collected 100 fewer points and lost out to his teammate Lewis Hamilton.

While Russell admitted the 2023 season was psychologically the toughest in his career, he also said he believes everything will be different once he has a better car. He told Motorsport Magazine:

"I think when you’re on the back foot, everything often goes against you. But when the car is flying, everything goes for you."

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While the British driver is only one year younger than the triple World Champion Max Verstappen, he put things into perspective by comparing the number of years in F1.

Max Verstappen started racing in Formula One in 2015 whereas Russell got his first contract for 2019. Consequently, the Dutchman has four years more experience compared to the Mercedes driver.

"So, clearly, we need to work on one thing. I look at the positives. I’m 25 years old, I feel like I’ve got a good at least 15 years left in me – when I look at Fernando [Alonso]. And when I look at Max [Verstappen], I think he was in his seventh year before he fought for a title."

If Russell wanted to match Verstappen, he still has two more years to achieve his first World Championship title, and he suggested a couple of other drivers are in the same boat.

"So, we need to bide our time, as frustrating as it is. But you’ve got great drivers like Charles [Leclerc] in the exact same position, Lando in the exact same position."

Being sat in Mercedes, Russell is one of the few drivers on the grid who actually might challenge Red Bull's Verstappen in upcoming years and he feels the time will come.

"And this was Max four or five years ago in 2020 and prior. So, I’m not too bitter about it. Of course I would love my fortunes to be different, but my time will come."