Back in March, on a typically bright and cloudless day around the Albert Park Lake in Melbourne, sporting the most brimful of smiles, nobody embodied self-confidence and poise more than George Russell. Three months on from his friend, compatriot and rival Lando Norris claiming his first Formula 1 world championship with McLaren, it was now time for Mercedes’ internal star to take advantage of having the fastest car on the grid.
“I know what I need to do,” Russell firmly stated outside the Mercedes motorhome. “And I feel stronger mentally than ever before.” Three days later, Russell cruised to victory in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, exclaiming over team radio in his best Borat impression: “Very nice, very niiiiice. I like this car.”
