Chinese GP: McLaren in a dominant position of F1 than it was Red Bull, says George Russell | F1 news
Mercedes driver George Russell says McLaren currently has a greater advantage than the rest of the Formula One field than the Red Bull did during their historically dominant 2023 campaign.
Lando Norris won the introductory race in Australia on Sunday, as McLaren fulfilled his favorites after preseason testing in Bahrein, and Woking Squad would probably have achieved that he had not rejected Oscar Piastra in the rain.
Russell predicted at the beginning of the 2023 season.
“I think their car is definitely capable of winning every race,” Russell said on Thursday ahead of the Grand Prix this weekend.
“Their car should win every race, but I don’t think they won’t win in every race this year. Let’s see.
Max Verstappen knocked down many records of 2023, because he claimed that the third series of his permanent title was four consecutive drivers, and it seems that Russell suggests that he does not expect Norris and Piastra to perform with the same level of consistency delivered by the Dutchman.
Russell used Piastra’s Spin at Albert Park to start his campaign with the final parts of the podium, while his new teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli claimed fourth place.
He said, “The gap that they have this year is greater on everyone than ever had a red bull. But when Max was in that [2023] The car was quite reliable every single circle that made every single running in Q3, during qualifications, never actually a question.
“I hope we can be there to use as we were in [Melbourne] The weekend, as it should have been two or two for those guys. “
Piastra: Russell came up with some funny things
Russell’s last remarks followed after Melbourne said that McLaren’s advantage was such that they could already transfer the focus to their car for 2026, when new motorcycle and chassis regulations were being introduced.
While Russell’s comments came after Norris had already completed his media duties on Thursday, Piastra had the opportunity to answer, and his initial estimate was that the words of the Mercedes driver were “pretty far”.
“I would be surprised if he seriously believes we are so far ahead. I certainly think we have a strong car, but I think it’s still within an upset for the others,” Piastra said.
“George, he has come up with some funny things in the last few weeks.
“It’s just one race. It’s a trail that has been competitive to us in the last few years, even when our car has not been more dominant than Red Bull. We’ll go to different paths where we will fight more, it’s sure.
“If he wants to write off the season after the first weekend, I’ll let him go. But I think we’re very aware that Melbourne was an exceptional weekend, not what we expect to be the norm.”
Verstappen: McLaren ‘Super Strong’ but it is impossible to compare
Verstappen wrote record books with his 2023 campaign, winning at 19 races, but perhaps more particularly set a new mark on the biggest percentage of races over the season.
On Thursday, he was also asked by Russell’s comments, and although he accepted that McLaren was “quite far ahead”, he was not willing to stay compared.
He said, “I always fight to really answer it right, because it’s impossible to say, right? Unless you drove that car yourself.
“They are super strong. I have a lot of respect for what they have done last year, and now they are very fast. Very versatile, good everywhere.
“It’s just a fact now, how big a gap is or whatever it’s hard to say.”
Sky Sports F1, Live Chinese GP schedule
Friday 21st March
- 1:00: F1 Academic Practice
- 3:00: Chinese Practice GP -One (session starts at 3.30am)*
- 5.30 pm: A press conference of the Director of the Tim Director
- 6:00: F1 Academy of Qualifications*
- 6.45pm: Chinese GP Sprint qualifying (session starts at 7.30)*
Saturday 22. March
- 2.25 hours: Sprint of Chinese GP Sprint
- 3:00: Chinese GP Sprint*
- 5.45pm: F1 Academy of Race 1*
- 6.35: 00: Chinese GP qualifying buildup*
- 7:00: Chinese qualifying general practice*
- 9:00: TED -O’s qualifying notebook*
Sunday March 23
- 2.40 hours: F1 Academy of Race 2
- 5.30am: Chinese GP Building-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
- 7:00: Grand Prix Chinese*
- 9:00: Chinese GP reaction: Plated flag*
- 10:00: Ted’s notebook*
*Also at the main event Sky Sports
Formula 1 is in Shanghai this week for the first sprint weekend of the season in Chinese GP, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with now – No Treaty, cancel anytime
