Russell: Mercedes rivals Red Bull 'team to beat'

George Russell has acknowledged Red Bull as the leading team in Formula 1 following Max Verstappen's consecutive victories at the Singapore Grand Prix and the previous Bahrain Grand Prix. Despite Mercedes' strong start to the season, Russell believes Red Bull's recent performance has surpassed theirs, particularly after Verstappen's dominant drives on varied circuits.

Russell, who finished ninth in Singapore due to an engine penalty, emphasised the need for Mercedes to enhance their performance with their current upgrade package. Team principal Toto Wolff also commended Red Bull's development and predicted a fierce competition between the teams in the upcoming season, highlighting Verstappen's exceptional driving as a key factor in their success.