F1 News
Russell approves the return to Melbourne: "Definitely should be the opener"
Just a week and a half remains until Formula 1 racing is back underway with the 2025 season, with a huge amount of expectation weighing on this campaign, which will see the Australian Grand Prix as the season opener for the first time since 2019, which pleases Mercedes driver George Russell.
Russell on returning to Melbourne for the season opener
"I think it's great starting in Melbourne. Melbourne's naturally a great place, but of course, it takes a long time to get there. And I think the last couple of years, when it's been race three, you've already had quite a heavy start to the season with testing [in] Bahrain in general, whereas at the start of the season, things are a little bit calmer and it takes less of a toll on the body. So I feel it definitely should be the opener," Russell explained at the F1 75 Live event in London.
The race at Albert Park was usually nailed on as the opening Grand Prix of the season, but after the coronavirus pandemic hit the world, their duties of hosting the opening race of the season were put on hold, However, that will change when the teams and drivers descend on Melbourne to get the 2025 campaign underway.
Russell holding Mercedes' cards close to his chest
However, while there may be a far greater understanding of the pecking order on the grid after the first race of the season, a good result may not paint the whole picture, Russell observes. Red Bull was fastest in the opening race last year, for example, but ultimately fell behind McLaren and Ferrari, and even Mercedes at times as the season went on.
"I think when you look at last year, I don't think there's really any trends of where cars go well and when they perform poorly. So I think whoever wins in Melbourne or even if the team dominates, I don't think that necessarily means they'll go on to dominate the season. If they win the opening four races, that's a better indicator," Russell concluded.
This article was created in collaboration with Estéban den Toom
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