George Russell believes he’s got what it takes to become a world champion soon. Speaking with BBC Sport before the season kicked off, the Mercedes driver didn’t hold back on his self-confidence, even pointing out how he’s outperformed Lewis Hamilton in recent years.
“I am proud of the results I’ve achieved going up against somebody like Lewis,” Russell said.
He’s beaten Hamilton in two out of their three seasons as teammates.
“At the end of 2021, statistically and in terms of perception, Lewis was the greatest of all time. And I’ve had three years against the greatest of all time, and I finished ahead of him two out of the three years I had as team-mates. And finished ahead more times in ‘quali’ and more times in the race.”
The numbers back him up. Russell scored more points than Hamilton in both 2022 and 2024.
His qualifying record against Hamilton last year was particularly impressive – a dominant 19-5 in Russell’s favor.
That kind of performance against a seven-time world champion has given Russell plenty of confidence about his own potential.
Things are changing at Mercedes for 2025. Russell will be paired with 18-year-old Italian driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who replaces Hamilton. This means Russell will step into the team leader role for the first time.
## ‘In a different era, you’re a world champion if you finish ahead of Hamilton’
Russell doesn’t mince words about what his results against Hamilton might have meant in another time.
“If this was a different time or a different era, if you finish ahead of Lewis Hamilton, you’re a world champion,” he pointed out.
“And if I keep delivering those results, as I did over these last three years against the best driver of all time, I believe I will get myself in the fight and hopefully a world championship to my name,” the Brit concluded.
With Hamilton heading to Ferrari next season, Russell will have his chance to truly lead Mercedes and possibly fight for that championship he’s so confident he can win.
