Max Verstappen has already achieved everything in F1 that most drivers dream of. At a relatively young age, he has won two world championships, and unless something goes horribly wrong, he will remain the favorite to defend his crown again this year. George Russell, meanwhile, wants to take a leaf out of Verstappen’s book as he searches for his moment in the spotlight.
Like Verstappen, Russell too, is 25-years-old, but has achieved significantly less in F1. A lot of it is down to Verstappen making his F1 debut at just 17 years old, but Russell feels that there’s another key element behind the Dutchman’s glorious career. Irrespective of age, Russell feels that it is important for drivers in F1 to be patient.
World Champion 2022!!!
We’ve been absolutely on it, the whole year. A season where we had a difficult start but kept it cool, bounced back and never let go. pic.twitter.com/lRX9mj1siw
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) October 9, 2022
Verstappen may have made his debut back in 2015 as a 17 years old. But he had to wait until 2021 to fight with a car that was consistently capable of winning races. This is something Russell wants to emulate Verstappen in.
Max Verstappen deserved to fight for championships way before
Verstappen made his F1 debut for Toro Rosso when he was just 17 years old. In just a year, he found himself at Red Bull, and won the Spanish GP in his first-ever race for the outfit. The coming years saw Verstappen establish himself as a force to reckon with, driving a car that was subpar by his standards.
However, Verstappen was patient with Red Bull, gave them time, and in the end, it paid off. Today, at 25 years old, he has surpassed the careers of F1 legends like Fernando Alonso, and has a lot of time left break more records.
“Look at Max,” said Russell to AutoHebdo. “He had five years with RB, in which he won what? Eight races? Then he won 15 last season! He deserved to fight for titles before too, but now it’s his time and he makes a fine World Champion.”
George Russell looking for first highlight moment of 2023
So far, Russell’s 2023 season has been quiet to say the least. Last year was his first season at Mercedes, and a young talented driver like him outperforming a legend like Lewis Hamilton broke the news. This season, however, he is yet to find his moment in the sun.
So far, the only Mercedes podium has been in the form of a P2 finish for Hamilton in Melbourne last month. Russell, however, wants to fight in the front for podiums too. Aiming for a win might be far-fetched due to Red Bull’s staggering superiority, but a podium place is definitely on Russell’s mind.
The next round of F1 racing takes place in Monaco this weekend, and with upgrades for Mercedes set to come in, Russell will be hoping for his first top three finish of the season.
