Mercedes racer George Russell believes Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari have emerged as significant contenders for this year’s world title. Following his breakthrough victory at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, Hamilton remains 41 points adrift of championship leader Kimi Antonelli, yet the seven-time champion suggests a title push remains a possibility.
Russell praised his former teammate, noting that Hamilton’s recent string of strong performances proves his enduring ability. While acknowledging that Antonelli continues to lead with impressive consistency, Russell emphasized that Ferrari’s momentum is building. Hamilton himself is focusing on short-term success, aiming for a win at the upcoming Austrian Grand Prix rather than dwelling on the overall standings.
Technical developments remain a focus, as Ferrari aims to bolster their engine performance to complement their superior chassis. Hamilton also clarified that his struggles last season stemmed from a neck injury sustained during testing. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen and the Red Bull team are looking toward a chassis upgrade to regain competitiveness. Separately, Fernando Alonso has reaffirmed his long-term commitment to Aston Martin, stating that he intends to contribute to the team’s future success regardless of whether he continues as a driver past this year.