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George Russell’s Bold Claim: ‘I’d Be 2024 Champion in a McLaren or Red Bull’

Miguel Cunha by Miguel Cunha
January 9, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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George Russell’s Bold Claim: ‘I’d Be 2024 Champion in a McLaren or Red Bull’

Formula One F1 - Qatar Grand Prix - Lusail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar - December 1, 2024 Mercedes' George Russell ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki

George Russell Asserts He’d Beat Verstappen and Norris with Equal Machinery

In a striking show of confidence, George Russell believes he could have claimed the 2024 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship if he were driving either a McLaren or a Red Bull. The Mercedes driver, who has bagged two victories this season, contends that his rivals’ errors—and not just Verstappen’s brilliance—played a pivotal role in the Dutchman clinching his fourth consecutive title.

“Yes, absolutely,” Russell said when asked if he could have won the championship in Lando Norris’ McLaren. When pressed further about Red Bull, his response was equally assertive: “For sure.”


Red Bull’s Dominance Fades as McLaren Rises

Russell’s remarks come as the 2024 season witnessed a dramatic shift in the grid dynamics. While Max Verstappen secured the championship with two rounds to spare, Red Bull’s early-season dominance waned, allowing McLaren to emerge as the benchmark team in the latter half.

Russell argued that Red Bull’s strong start provided Verstappen with an unassailable points cushion. “I say I could have won in the Red Bull because it was the quickest car at the start,” Russell said, pointing out that even Sergio Perez consistently secured podiums early on.


Norris and McLaren: Opportunities Missed

Russell didn’t hold back when analyzing Norris’ performance in McLaren’s resurgent MCL38, suggesting that mistakes from both the driver and the team cost them a tighter title fight.

“Max has won once in the last 12 races, so he is very beatable,” Russell explained. “The difference is that when Max had the chance, he won. His rivals, who should have beaten him this year, did not. They [Norris and McLaren] have thrown away a lot of points.”

This “wasted potential,” according to Russell, allowed Verstappen to seal the title early despite Red Bull’s slip to being only the third-best team in the latter half of the season.


A Championship That Should Have Gone to the Wire?

The Briton believes that, with McLaren’s consistency or Red Bull’s early-season edge, he would have extended the title fight to the season finale. “The battle ought to have gone down to the wire,” Russell said during the Las Vegas Grand Prix, where Verstappen officially secured the championship.


Russell’s Confidence: Backed by Results or Premature?

Russell’s self-assurance is rooted in his ability to maximize opportunities. In his Mercedes W15, he has consistently outperformed his teammate Lewis Hamilton in qualifying and race strategy. Yet, critics might argue that his confidence overlooks the complexities of managing a championship campaign, particularly in a car built to a different philosophy.


The 2024 Season in Perspective

Russell’s claims ignite an intriguing debate about the balance of talent and machinery in F1. While Verstappen’s relentless execution and Red Bull’s early dominance undeniably set the tone, the emergence of McLaren and Norris as genuine contenders shifted the dynamics in the second half of the season.

Could Russell have capitalized better than Norris or Verstappen? While it remains a hypothetical, his confidence underscores his ambition to be seen not just as a strong performer but as a potential future champion.

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