George Russell may show himself up at Australian GP over remark

F1: George Russell hikes during the off-season

George Russell might just leave himself red-faced if he was to claim victory at the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday. The Brit finished second in qualifying, with Lewis Hamilton third as the Mercedes duo placed behind pole-sitter Max Verstappen.

And it would be some turnaround for Mercedes if they were to snatch victory over Red Bull ace and reigning champion Verstappen, but one that would somewhat prove Russell to be wrong.

The Brit was left bitterly disappointed after a seventh-place finish at the opening race of the season last month in Bahrain. Post-race, the disgruntled driver seemed to concede Red Bull would storm to the driver and constructors titles again, even adding that their dominance is such that he bets the team can win “every single race this season”.

“Red Bull have got this championship sewn up and I don’t think anybody will be fighting with them this year,” Russell said. “They should win every single race this season. With the performance they have got I don’t see anyone challenging them.

“Their pace here was weaker than in testing but they have got it easy at the moment and they can do what they like. They might not take every pole – because Ferrari are competitive over one lap – but when it comes to race pace they are in a very strong position.”

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The comments stunned 2009 F1 world champion Jenson Button, who struggled to fathom why the 25-year-old would make such a prediction so early in the season. “I know that a lot of drivers have said, ‘It’s going to be an easy championship for Red Bull and Max [Verstappen]’, but how can you say that? We’ve only tested at one track. We’ve only raced at one track,” said Button.

“And we all know that Bahrain is very unique in the way that cars work there. It’s a heavy braking, traction circuit. It’s not so much about high-speed. So we can’t say that. I think we’ll understand a bit more after Saudi, which is more of a fast-flowing track. And also when we get the European races.

“So no, it’s not a walk in the part for Red Bull and Max. It’s a great start to the season and very different to what they had last year. But I still think we’re going to have some very, very close fights. I don’t think it’s going to be a straightforward win for Red Bull and Max. But I loved the first race. I thought it was action-packed and that’s what I look for. I look for great racing, and great fights.”

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So if Russell or Hamilton did somehow win the Australian GP, he may be questioned on his gloomy prediction following the Bahrain GP.

But spirits are up inside the Silver Arrows camp at the moment, as both Russell and Hamilton secured P2 and P3 for tomorrow’s Australian GP. The Mercedes team have openly voiced their concerns over their car this year after a slow start to the campaign, but a brilliant qualifying session has put them in the hunt.

“The car felt alive, the lap at the end was right on the limit and to be honest I’m a little bit disappointed that we didn’t get pole position,” said Russell. “It’s one of those things where your expectations change so quickly in this sport. We would have been happy with a top four, top five yesterday. The car felt awesome and we’ve definitely got potential still to come.”

Hamilton added: “This is totally unexpected. Really proud of the team. George did an amazing job there today so for us to be up on the front two rows is honestly a dream for us. We are all working as hard as we can to get right back up to the front so to be this close to Red Bull is incredible and hopefully tomorrow we can give them a run for their money and we hope the weather is good. I am super grateful for this position and I am just going to work as hard as I can tomorrow.”

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