Mercedes make Verstappen the number one target with 'comfy' prediction

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F1 George Russell on fighting with Max Verstappen on the track
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  • Matt Gretton
  • Editor-in-Chief

Mercedes has made Max Verstappen their number one target during the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix. George Russell confirms that he and Lewis Hamilton are hoping to fight the current World Championship leader, while he predicts Norris will comfortably drive to victory.

But Russell might have to look behind him as Oscar Piastri starts in P5. With a McLaren, which is currently the best car in Formula 1. "He's going to be the main threat from behind," Russell said after qualifying. "I hope that Lewis and I can take the fight to Max."

Russell on Norris

According to the Mercedes driver, Norris is the favourite for victory in Singapore. The McLaren just seems to be the fastest car on the entire Formula 1 grid at the moment. Yet this season also showed again that Norris often still has some problems at the start. The Briton has already started on pole five times, but not once has he been able to retain the lead on the first lap.

"But realistically, if Lando is leading after lap one, he'll win the race comfortably," Russell said about his fellow countryman. 

This article has been created in collaboration with Estéban den Toom