Russell expects Mercedes over Ferrari: 'That's going to be a different story'

George Russell knows it hasn't been the year Mercedes would have wanted, but he is looking forward to the German team's potential in 2024. "I think the task for everybody is massive. We're all trying to catch up to the most dominant car in F1 history. So that's no short task. Everybody's going to have to come together, really focus, and really put everything into it. Time will tell. But I think we're going into this winter in a much better place than we were 12 months ago and two years ago. So we hope we're not going to stumble over anything. But as I said, time will tell."

Russell is also looking forward to the battle with Ferrari. The Mercedes driver says: "We're excited for the challenge ahead. It's going to be a close fight with Ferrari. They are obviously coming off the back of a strong race, but I'd definitely prefer to be in the position we are in than in their shoes. I think we just need to go out there, focus on ourselves, try and be as fast as possible, and if we do so, we'll finish ahead."

Russell expects difficult qualifying

Behind Red Bull Racing, the rankings changed frequently this season: sometimes Aston Martin was second best, then it was McLaren, or Mercedes or Ferrari. Russell finds it difficult to judge how the proportions will be in Abu Dhabi. "They were definitely pretty competitive here last year, but we've been surprised a lot this season of which teams are fast at which races and vice versa, so we're going in with an open mind. Qualifying, I think they'll [Ferrari] slightly have the upper hand as they tended to do so this season, but come Sunday, I think it'll be a different story, and we'll have a good race," Russell said.

Mercedes has not won a single Grand Prix yet this season. So for the Germans, it is the last chance to give the season some colour, after only one victory could be celebrated a year ago.