George Russell is still the favorite at the bookmakers to win the drivers’ title this year. Former Williams team principal Claire Williams understands why. According to the former team principal of the British team, where Russell drove for three seasons, 2026 is finally the year in which the Mercedes driver can compete for the title: ‘He would be a worthy world champion’.
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George Russell is starting his fifth season in the service of Mercedes, but did not always drive as a Silver Arrows driver. The Briton started his F1 career at Williams, and drove for the British team for three seasons between 2019 and 2021. According to the bookmakers, Russell is the favorite for the world title this year; a role that the Mercedes driver ‘deserves more than anyone else’, according to former Williams team principal Claire Williams.
“George has always had everything it takes to fight for a world title,” Williams told the Press Association. “It has been a long and difficult road to get to the point where he can now fully compete for the title, but in my opinion, no one deserves it more (to become champion, ed.) than him. George has worked so hard and his whole life has already laid the building blocks for this moment.”
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Setbacks
According to Williams, Russell has already faced enough setbacks in his career. “He is not one of those drivers who was in the right place at the right time. He started at Williams and unfortunately joined us at the most difficult time for the team,” the former team principal explains. “But I always said to him: ‘Hopefully this gives you real resilience for the truly challenging times ahead, when you have to dig deep to win races and world championships’.”
After his time at Williams, Russell was allowed to take the Mercedes seat next to Lewis Hamilton in 2022. However, the Silver Arrows lost touch with the other top teams that season because, in the words of team principal Wolff, they missed the mark with the ground effect cars. “In the meantime, however, things have changed and George has waited patiently for this moment,” Williams continues. “He would be a worthy world champion, but it is a long road to win that title and he will have to concentrate. However, if anyone can do it, it’s George.”
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