SUMMARY
- Eddie Jordan think George Russell is not ready to lead Mercedes.
- Toto Wolff thinks otherwise.
With Lewis Hamilton leaving Mercedes after the 2024 season, George Russell is lined up to become the lead driver for the team. However, there are some who believe that Russell is not up to the task as he has not accomplished a lot with the team.
We saw Russell make his debut with Mercedes in 2020 when Lewis was out sick for the Sakhir Grand Prix. He made an impressive debut, but could not deliver the result due to a couple of bad pit stops. However, he became a permanent driver in the team in the 2022 season. Since then, he has won only 1 race. This has placed doubts on some people in the world of F1.
Eddie Jordan unsure of George Russell’s capabilities
Former team owner, Eddie Jordan has shared his views on George becoming a team leader for Mercedes.
“Let’s be honest, George Russell has won one grand prix,” Jordan told the Formula For Success podcast. “Do I think he can be a World Champion next year or the year after?
“I just think that Lewis had too much on him.
“When Lewis didn’t quite have the car that he wanted at the beginning of the year, George was able to drive around that.
“Lewis didn’t bother because… not that he didn’t bother, but he just didn’t feel that the car was good enough to be able to do the job.
“Let’s be honest, George Russell has won one grand prix. I just think Lewis had too much on him.”
Eddie Jordan isn’t convinced George Russell can lead Mercedes into life after Lewis…#F1 #Mercedes #LewisHamilton https://t.co/CCPgSoFvDO
— PlanetF1 (@Planet_F1) February 9, 2024
“But, nevertheless, as the season progressed, Lewis got his mojo together. And he made us all look up and say, ‘Hmm, maybe Lewis still has it.’
“And I think that because of the change in fortune, that’s why he went to Ferrari.”
There is no doubt that Russell will have an uphill task to bring Mercedes to its former glory. Although he has not accomplished a lot with the team, he has shown some incredible potential. Hence, there is a chance that he will bring a Championship to the team once again.
Toto Wolff places his faith on George Russell
While some experts have brought up some doubts regarding George, Toto seems to have confidence in his driver to lead the team in the future.
“George has the potential to be the next lead driver in the team. He is of the generation of Lando [Norris] and [Charles] Leclerc and some of the others.
“I couldn’t wish for a new team leader when Lewis leaves, no doubt about that.
Toto Wolff has already endorsed George Russell to lead the Mercedes #F1 team once Lewis Hamilton departs for Ferrari in 2025 💪
But that doesn’t change the fact that the coming 2024 campaign is filled with pressure for Russell, as @Nauckas explains 📝
— Autosport (@autosport) February 14, 2024
“We have such a solid foundation, such a quick, talented, and intelligent guy in the car that we just need to take the right choice for the second driver, the second seat.”
Mercedes is targeting one of their junior drivers, Kimi Antonelli from Formula 2 to drive for them from the 2025 season. This would make George the senior driver in the team. He will have to take the reigns and help the team develop their car. We will be seeing him start leading the team this year.
There is no doubt that George is one of the best drivers from the current generation of drivers. He came into the sport along with Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris, Alex Albon, and a few others. Hence, there is a good chance that he will be able to fill in the shoes of the leader and help the team.