George Russell at the Italian Grand Prix, Source: Race Pictures

Russell sees 'F1 is difficult to understand' naming one opportunity for victory

18:09, 12 Sep

byKada Sarkozi

George Russell does not expect to fight for victories, bar one weekend, after seeing his rival's performance in Monza.

Russell finished fifth at the Italian Grand Prix, Photo: Race Pictures

When you look at the Verstappen finishing 40 seconds off the win in Hungary and then winning by 20 seconds here and 20 seconds in Imola, it's a struggle to comprehend that swing in performance.

- George Russell

"It's difficult to understand the sport at the moment," Russell began to GPblog after the Italian Grand Prix.

"When you look at the Verstappen finishing 40 seconds off the win in Hungary and then winning by 20 seconds here and 20 seconds in Imola, it's a struggle to comprehend that swing in performance.

"We finished 12 seconds behind McLaren, in a normal race, that's pretty successful. Ferrari are strong right now.

"Saturdays are really close as well, one tenth faster, one tenth slower on a Saturday can be one or two positions."

Russell also doesn't expect to be able to win further Grands Prix, apart from one weekend, where the Briton succeeded the previous campaign.

"Well, Vegas is a bit of an obvious one for us. I hope we can repeat last year's performance. But no, there's not really any other."

Russell one of only four drivers to win in 2025

Similarly to his reaction after qualifying, Russell was surprised by Red Bull's performance compared to the Austrian's struggles in Hungary.

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Other than the Mercedes driver, only Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen won Grands Prix in 2025. The Briton defeated Verstappen in Canada.

Additionally, Russell's ex-teammate, Lewis Hamilton, won the Sprint in China.

George Russell celebrates his only victory of the 2025 season in Montreal, Photo: Race Pictures

No more updates for Mercedes in 2025

Ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Mercedes reverted back to an older version of its suspension which the drivers found more comfortable, however, no more updates are scheduled before the 2026 regulation change.