Is George Russell Ready To Lead Mercedes?
George Russell’s drive at the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix was an absolute masterclass — until it wasn’t.
Spa-Francorchamps, a circuit famous for separating the greats from the merely good, saw Russell conjure a near-perfect race only to have the win stripped away because of a 1.5kg underweight car. It’s like preparing a Michelin-star meal and being told it’s disqualified because you used 99.9% cocoa chocolate instead of 100%.
But let’s not let a pesky rulebook take away from what was arguably one of the standout performances of his Formula 1 career.
Russell’s journey to what should have been his third career win came courtesy of a gutsy one-stop strategy. That decision? All him. Mercedes initially dismissed the idea as ludicrous — Spa isn’t exactly kind to tyres, after all — but Russell’s confidence in his ability to manage degradation was unwavering.
It was a stroke of genius that allowed him to outfox and outdrive his teammate Lewis Hamilton, the man who’d led most of the race and looked poised to snag yet another victory.
But alas, while Russell won on the track, the stewards were less impressed by his weight management, and the victory went up in smoke faster than a Red Bull power unit on an off day.
Speaking of Hamilton, he emerged from the weekend with his fifth Belgian Grand Prix win, adding another notch to his belt in his illustrious career. Was it redemption for that infamous 2008 Spa disqualification? Maybe. But Hamilton knew this win was more about circumstance than sheer domination.
Max Verstappen, who’s practically owned Spa since 2021, was hampered by an engine penalty that relegated him to a non-threatening position, leaving the door wide open for Mercedes to finally capitalize.
This result marked a return to form for the Silver Arrows, a team that had spent two years in competitive purgatory trying to understand ground-effect cars. Wins in Austria, Silverstone, and Spa (sort of) show that Mercedes is clawing its way back to the top. But let’s not pretend this resurgence has been smooth sailing.
Early in the season, the W15 seemed allergic to consistency, with issues cropping up race after race. Now, however, Mercedes heads into the business end of the year with three wins from the last four Grands Prix — a far cry from their early-season woes.
While Hamilton’s impending move to Ferrari for 2025 hogged headlines, it’s Russell who’ll be tasked with leading Mercedes into the next era. That’s no small responsibility, especially with the team taking a leap of faith by promoting 19-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli to the second seat.
Toto Wolff hasn’t run a rookie since Mercedes picked Karl Kling in 1954, so this decision feels like a roll of the dice at the casino of Formula 1. Antonelli’s meteoric rise through Formula 2 has been impressive, but F1 rookies are as much a gamble as a Williams in a wet qualifying session.
What stood out in the aftermath of Russell’s disqualification was his demeanor. No tantrums, no finger-pointing — just a pragmatic acknowledgment of the team’s error and a dash of British humor. “I knew I was a bit light before the race, but there’s only so much steak you can eat,” he quipped, proving that even in adversity, Russell can find a punchline.
His calmness speaks volumes about his maturity and readiness to assume the team leader role. That said, he’s not afraid to criticize the team when necessary. Remember Hungary? Knocked out in Q1 due to a questionable fuel strategy, Russell didn’t hesitate to call it out, displaying the leadership qualities Mercedes will need.
The 2024 season has been a mixed bag for Russell. While he’s shown flashes of brilliance — pole positions in Montreal and Silverstone, and a win in Austria — he’s also been plagued by moments of inconsistency. Whether it’s clashing with Oscar Piastri in Canada or that last-lap heartbreak in Singapore last year, Russell’s aggressive style occasionally leaves him vulnerable to errors.
But when asked about these mistakes, he offered a sharp retort: “I could drive one-tenth off the pace and never make a mistake, but then I wouldn’t be pushing myself.”
Russell’s readiness to battle the young Antonelli — and potentially Verstappen if the Dutchman joins Mercedes in 2026 — will define the next chapter of his career. Wolff’s closeness with Antonelli adds another layer of intrigue, and with Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull running until 2028, there’s no shortage of speculation about a potential Mercedes superteam.
For now, Russell’s focus is clear: continue the upward trajectory and, ideally, ensure that the next time he crosses the line first, he actually keeps the trophy.
As for the fans, we’re just here for the drama, the bold strategies, and the occasional disqualification that reminds us how gloriously unpredictable Formula 1 can be.
Because let’s face it, a little chaos at Spa is what makes this sport so irresistible.
