George Russell has explained how his attitude changing as he has grown older has meant he’s not “envious” towards Lando Norris’ title win in Formula 1 in 2025.
Norris resisted Max Verstappen’s sensational late-season comeback to secure his maiden Drivers’ Championship with two points in hand over the Red Bull racer.
Russell beat Norris to the Formula 2 title back in 2018, a season which saw both drivers rewarded with promotions to F1 with Williams and McLaren, respectively.
But despite moving to a Mercedes team that had swept eight consecutive titles in 2022, Russell is still awaiting his maiden shot at the ultimate prize in the series.
Meanwhile, Norris’ allegiance to McLaren has been rewarded as the Woking-based squad surpassed Mercedes en route to constructing the benchmark package.
Russell has revealed that he would have been bitter about how things have turned out in the past, but his mindset has mellowed as his own career has developed.
“I’m really happy for him,” Russell told media including Motorsport Week.
“Maybe when I was a bit younger and not as mature, you’d be envious of a rival and fellow countryman to win.
“But honestly, the older we get, you recognise how difficult it is to sustain a certain level in this sport.”
Russell lauds Norris’ title comeback
Norris’ title dream appeared dead and buried when a retirement at the Dutch Grand Prix dropped him 34 points behind team-mate Oscar Piastri with nine races to go.
But the Briton recovered to outscore Piastri over the next six rounds to put him in pole position to claim the title, a comeback that has earned his compatriot’s praise.
“We never know when our opportunity is going to come,” Russell added. “I’m sure he wasn’t aware his chance was going to be this year.
“His second half of the year, especially, he drove really incredibly, so I’m happy for him. He deserved it.”
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