George Russell makes bold claim over winning 2024 title in Max Verstappen’s RB20

George Russell expressed confidence in his abilities to win the 2024 Drivers' title if he was driving Max Verstappen's Red Bull.

George Russell makes bold claim over winning 2024 title in Max Verstappen’s RB20

George Russell and Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)

The battle for the 2024 Formula 1 Drivers’ title is over. Max Verstappen won his fourth championship in a row last weekend in Las Vegas. Now, Mercedes’ George Russell has given an interesting statement over his prospects of winning the title.

Since the Las Vegas GP, Verstappen and Lando Norris have been in a war of words. The Dutch driver claimed that he would’ve won the championship with McLaren. While Norris refuted these comments. Russell now has given his view over being in the mix in Verstappen’s car.

George Russell insisted that he could’ve won the 2024 title in Lando Norris’ MCL36 as well as Max Verstappen‘s RB20. The Mercedes driver pointed out that Verstappen had won only one out of the last 12 races. Even though rivals often failed to defeat the Red Bull driver when he should’ve lost solely due to the car’s performance.

For sure… I say I could have won in the Red Bull because it was the quickest car at the start. ax has won once in the last 12 races so he is very beatable… The difference (between Verstappen and Norris) is that when Max has had the chance he has won, whereas his rivals who should have beaten him this year did not.

George Russell said, as reported by GPBlog

George Russell blames Lando Norris for ‘throwing away’ points

Russell further highlighted that Norris and McLaren threw away crucial points in the title fight. This allowed Max Verstappen to clinch the 2024 championship with two races to spare. Though, the Mercedes star praised the Dutchman’s ‘exceptional’ driving skills. George Russell pointed out that Red Bull only fell behind in the second half of the season.

George Russell and Lando Norris
George Russell and Lando Norris (Via: Imago)

They (Norris and McLaren) have thrown away a lot of points and therefore Max, who is an exceptional driver, has won the championship early… It’s only in the second half of the season that they were the third-best team.

George Russell added

Certainly, Max Verstappen did enjoy a healthy advantage at the start of the year, winning seven out of the first ten races. However, the four-time world champion remained consistent even when his car was slower than Norris’ McLaren. Nevertheless, George Russell would be hoping to challenge the two drivers next season.