George Russell said he is ready to battle for the world championship and highlighted his preparation to go up against the grid’s top names, in a context of technical changes and renewed expectations within Mercedes.
The start of the new season finds Mercedes with a clear objective and one of its drivers convinced that the time has come to make the definitive leap. With a demanding regulatory context and a highly competitive grid, the Brit made it clear that his goal is to fight directly for the Formula 1 world championship.
Beyond the statements, Russell explained that he arrived at this stage with a different foundation than in previous years. The experience he has accumulated, his internal knowledge of the team, and continuity within the structure allow him to take on the challenge with greater clarity about what he needs to be competitive throughout the entire calendar.
The driver emphasized that the title fight does not depend solely on outright performance but also on consistency and adaptability. In a category where every detail matters, remaining competitive race after race is an essential condition for aiming at the top.
At Mercedes, the focus is on consolidating a project that puts the team back in direct contention. Russell noted that the work carried out during the preseason was aimed at improving specific areas of the car and optimizing internal communication to make faster decisions during race weekends.
The Brit also referred to the level of competition on the current grid. In that sense, he pointed out that facing established rivals is a natural part of the challenge and that measuring himself against the best is an additional motivation in his growth process.
Russell stressed that one of the most important lessons he has learned is understanding when to push and when to bank points. Over a long championship, risk management becomes just as relevant as pure speed, especially when the margin for error is minimal.
His role within the team is another aspect that has grown stronger. With greater responsibility and leadership, he accepts that his position means being a reference both on and off the track, something he considers part of the process of aspiring to the title.
Physical and mental preparation also play a central role in his planning. The level of demand in the championship requires arriving at each race with maximum focus, without losing sight of the season’s overall objective.
Heading into the start of the championship, the message is clear. Russell feels ready to fight for the world title, aware of how difficult the challenge is, but confident that he has the tools needed to compete on equal terms.