If you look at Formula 1’s 2025 drivers’ standings, you’d be forgiven for thinking Mercedes’ George Russell has a shot at the title. The 27-year-old Briton has been a paragon of consistency thus far, completing every single qualifying session and race – even the sprint ones – in the top five, with four grand prix podiums to his name.
But equally, Russell hasn’t led a single race lap this year. The closest he got was at the Bahrain Grand Prix, where he briefly challenged polesitter Oscar Piastri at the start but ended up a distant runner-up, 15.5 seconds away from victory.
