With this brief remark, Russell shows that he is the man of the moment

When GPblog asked Mercedes whether George Russell would choose number 1 next season or stick with his trusted number 63, there was a burst of laughter.

Of course, it’s a premature question. But given the Briton’s form and brimming self-confidence, it’s not at all strange to already be thinking about it. Midway through the second Grand Prix weekend of the season, Russell (as expected) is already the lead candidate to succeed Lando Norris as world champion.

While Kimi Antonelli, as his teammate, has the same top-tier Mercedes machinery at his disposal, the one thing the Italian lacks is experience. Russell has been through it all, is now extremely consistent, and hardly makes any major mistakes. All in all, he has every ingredient to capture his first Formula 1 world title.

Outwardly, Russell and Mercedes will say that there is indeed an excellent chance at the title, but that other teams won’t be standing still and that a massive development race will take place over the course of the season.

However, it should not be forgotten that all of this also applies to Mercedes: a team that, especially in race pace, is miles ahead of the rest. They will not sit still either.

In Shanghai, a small remark from George Russell showed that he, too, realized he had gold in his hands. His Q3 was anything but smooth, with the car coming to a halt. Once he got going again and after a few tweaks in the pit box, Russell still managed to secure P2. With great ease, in fact.

Later, Russell said it had been ‘damage limitation’. Calling a front-row start damage limitation says everything about where he and Mercedes stand in what is already shaping up to be a one-sided year.

That number 1 on the 2027 car is beckoning.