The British motive force argues that he would not sense any quicker these days than he did while he made his Formula 1 debut in 2019, the simplest part he brings is the revel in he has received over his six seasons withinside the recreation.
Speaking to the media, inclusive of Motorsport.com, beforehand of the 2025 season-starting race in Australia, Russell became requested if he feels he wishes to be properly beforehand of his Italian team-mate now that he’s along a rookie as opposed to seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton. He explained:
“No, now no longer at all. Kimi’s an outstanding motive force, and I’ve stated this before, I do not sense any quicker these days than after I became 18 years old, however I’m a long way extra experienced.
In a qualifying situation, if I even have site visitors on an outlap, I understand the way to cope with that. If my tyres are cold, if my tyres are hot, I understand the way to react to the ones circumstances. I understand the way to cope with the pressures of this recreation as properly.
But in phrases of outright pace, I do not suppose I’m any quicker nowadays than I became nine years in the past now. You noticed it with [Ollie] Bearman final year. Bearman did an splendid process while he jumped in. [Franco] Colapinto did a outstanding process.
“And the equal manner as while all of us jumped in, it became a piece tough for me due to the fact I became with Williams on the back, however you know, while myself, Lando [Norris], Charles [Leclerc], Max [Verstappen] all got here into the sport, immediately we had been at the pace, so why would not a man like Kimi be withinside the equal boat?”
