George Russell has insisted that there is no heightened pressure on him to deliver in Formula 1 in 2025 amid Mercedes’ long-standing interest in signing Max Verstappen.
Russell is embarking upon a new chapter in his career this season as Lewis Hamilton’s departure to Ferrari has seen him become recognised as the team leader at Mercedes.
The Briton has been paired with teenage prospect Andrea Kimi Antonelli in a line-up which Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has said he wants to be the team’s duo “going forward”.
However, Wolff’s well-established desire to acquire Verstappen could thwart that, with discussions between the Austrian and the Red Bull ace’s entourage being held in 2024.
In the scenario where Verstappen opens the door to a move to Mercedes, the German marque would then have to decide which incumbent driver has to vacate their place.
But while he has acknowledged that such a situation could arise, Russell has denied that he harbours concerns about losing his Mercedes drive going into the new season.
“I don’t think there’s any pressure whatsoever,” Russell told the BBC. “All I need to do is continue doing what I’m doing, continue doing what I’ve done my whole career.
“So that changes nothing. And it’s not even something I’m thinking about. Because I 100 per cent back myself. It’s as simple as that.
“You perform and everything will be there for you. I want to go up against the best. I don’t feel that my ability is in question.”
Russell won’t be ‘bullied around’ by Verstappen
The abiding speculation linking Verstappen with a potential switch to Mercedes will add an intriguing subplot to the tension that ensued between the Dutchman and Russell.
Russell and Verstappen became embroiled in a heated exchange as the past campaign ended over a blocking incident in Qatar that cost the reigning champion pole position.
The Mercedes driver has reiterated that he wasn’t prepared to be “bullied” amid his allegation that Verstappen threatened to crash into him on purpose in a revenge act.
“I wasn’t going to just stand and be bullied around,” Russell elaborated. “People seem to always back down to him. And that’s just not how I go about my business.
“I’m not there to be best mates with a World Champion. I’m here to win. And that’s his mentality as well. There’s no love lost.
“I’ve never been scared to race against Max. I’ve always put up a fight.”
Russell addresses 2025 pecking order
But hopes that the discord between the two could spill onto the track with victories on the line seems a stretch based on the pace that McLaren showed in pre-season testing.
“I don’t think either of us right now have a car that potentially is capable of beating the McLaren,” he assessed.
“McLaren, without doubt, look by far the strongest. Especially their race pace looks pretty impressive.”
READ MORE – George Russell: Mercedes ‘looking forwards, not backwards’ without Lewis Hamilton
