George Russell declares Max Verstappen ‘shouldn’t have won’ 2024 F1 title
Despite winning the championship with a healthy lead, George Russell claimed that Max Verstappen shouldn't have won the 2024 drivers' title.
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George Russell and Max Verstappen (via Getty Images)
Max Verstappen won his fourth consecutive driver’s title this year amidst a stern title challenge from Lando Norris. Though experts concluded that the Dutchman deserved the title after clinching the championship in the third-fastest car, some drivers held other opinions. Mercedes’ George Russell reckoned that the 27-year-old should not have won the 2024 F1 championship.
Red Bull began the season on the front foot but slowly got relegated behind McLaren and Ferrari. While Lando Norris was optimistic that he would be able to capitalize on this opportunity, the Briton crumbled under the pressure as he was unable to outscore Max Verstappen over multiple race weekends.
Witnessing this, the 25-year-old had asserted that he would not have been able to win the championship. However, George Russell insisted that if Verstappen’s rivals had not made crucial errors, the Dutchman would have not been able to win his fourth driver’s title this year.
Arguably, Max shouldn’t have won the championship this year, but the others made a few more errors and didn’t capitalise when they had the chance.
George Russell said (via Times)
On the other hand, this is not the first time that Russell has taken shots at Verstappen and his abilities. Moreover, with the existing feud between the two, this might not be taken so lightly by the reigning champion. All while, the Mercedes driver was able to win two races in comparison to the Dutchman’s nine-race tally.
George Russell deems himself ready to take on the championship challenge
On the other hand, since joining Mercedes, Russell has managed three wins in three seasons. The Brackley-based squad has struggled to get to grips with the ground-effect era of regulations. Moreover, the Briton would now take up the team leader role with Lewis Hamilton‘s departure and reckons himself to be worthy of the driver’s championship.
Russell elucidated how his experience has grown vastly since he made his debut in 2019. His racecraft has also improved and if an opportunity knocks on the door, the 26-year-old would not waste any time and get down to it to fulfill his dream of winning the elusive driver’s title.
I feel absolutely ready to take my journey to the next level and I feel ready to fight for a championship. I feel ready to fight against Max [Verstappen] and if we get the opportunity, I’m not going to waste it.
George Russell said (via Times)
However, he would be not alone in dreaming about taking up the fight to Verstappen next year. After botching the championship this year, Norris would revitalize his energy to have a go at the title in 2025. Thus, Russell would be having tough competition next year as four teams are expected to lock horns next year.
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Geetansh Pasricha
(741 Articles Published)