There is a new world championship leader
For the first time in his career, George Russell is leading the world championship of Formula 1. A scenario not so improbable on the eve of this world championship, given that many pointed to Mercedes as the title favorite and the first race in Australia confirmed these feelings.
The W17 impressed especially in terms of power unit and energy management, while at the chassis level Ferrari seems to be on par with the Silver Arrows.
Read more Ferrari strategy, Leclerc: “A conscious gamble”. Hamilton reiterates: “We should have stopped”
Russell teases Hamilton
In Melbourne, Russell achieved his sixth F1 victory – matching prestigious names in the all-time rankings such as Brooks, Surtees, Rindt, Gilles Villeneuve, Laffite, Patrese, Ralf Schumacher and Perez – and in interviews he was therefore euphoric about the prospects that seem to be opening up for him in this 2026.
The Englishman was asked for a comment on the Saturday statements of Lewis Hamilton, who had once again brought up the issue of the Mercedes compression ratio.
Read more Norris: “Ferrari clearly has the best car. Just look at their cornering speed”
Russell didn’t need to be asked twice and joked with the journalists of Viaplay: “I’ll be flying back with Lewis. He’ll probably tell me: ‘Your engine is so powerful… Your compression ratio is illegal…. This, that, the other… I think I’ll just try to sleep. But first I’ll tell him: “Shut up and focus on your car!”, he concluded with a laugh.
Read more Vasseur: “We are optimistic, updates will arrive soon. Already in China? Difficult”
