Russell delivers McLaren verdict that could lead to new championship twist

13:59, 20 Nov

Updated: 15:19, 20 Nov

1 Comments

byKada Sarkozi

George Russell believes McLaren can struggle this weekend in Las Vegas.

"I think this would be a circuit where McLaren would struggle more than usual."

- George Russell

Mercedes was the team to beat the year before in Las Vegas, as Russell and Lewis Hamilton claimed a one-two finish in the so-called Sin City back in 2024.

When asked whether McLaren could be their biggest rivals this weekend, the British driver said: "Honestly, no. I don’t think so.

"If I took Mercedes out of the equation and I were to try and guess who would win this weekend, I think this would be a circuit where McLaren would struggle more than usual."

Entering the weekend, Lando Norris leads Oscar Piastri by 24 points and Max Verstappen by 49 points in the drivers' standings.

Standings	Drivers	Points
P1	Lando Norris	390
P2	Oscar Piastri	366
P3	Max Verstappen	341

George Russell at the Las Vegas GP press conference - Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

Russell expects 'Red Bull to have a better chance'

According to Russell, the Woking-based team has previously struggled in similar conditions.

He continued: "When you look at their performance in Canada, it was the only time they weren't on the podium, and their performance in Baku — the only [other] time they weren't on the podium.

"This circuit has some similar characteristics to those tracks: the coldness, type of tarmac, the C5 tyre. And obviously low downforce — Baku is the same as Las Vegas.

"But, there are always these surprises. I think it's so close in Q3 now between so many teams. If you can do a magic lap and you can start on pole position, your whole weekend changes."

He concluded: "So they'll be there or thereabouts, but I think Red Bull probably have a better chance."

Check out the latest episode of GPblog's F1 Paddock Update here!

Want to stay up-to-date with what happens in the F1 paddock? Then GPblog's F1 Paddock Update video is the perfect way to do it. Subscribe to GPblog's YouTube channel and turn on notifications to never miss the latest episodes.