George Russell has biggest opportunity to win world title but must make the most of ‘advantage’

George Russell has his biggest ever opportunity to win a Formula 1 world championship this season.

As we arrive at the season opener in Australia, all the talk is about who is going to be able to challenge for the Drivers’ title as new regulations are introduced.

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Mercedes and Russell had an enjoyable pre-season in their new car and remain the bookmakers’ favourites for both the constructor and driver titles.

The 28-year-old is entering his eighth F1 season and has competed for both Williams and the Silver Arrows during his time on the grid.

In his career, the King’s Lynn-born driver has achieved five wins and 24 podiums, with 2026 being his first season entering as the favourite.

Former racing driver and now Channel 4’s lead presenter on the Paralympic Winter Games, Billy Monger, told talkSPORT his long-time friend may have his best chance at glory.

F1 2026 title favourites

He said: “It’s so tough because pre-season testing tells us certain aspects.

“But I don’t think there’s been many teams in the past few seasons that have topped pre-season testing, then have actually gone on to win the first race and go on to win the championship.

“It always feels like just a question of who’s holding back the most, who’s actually got the best package overall.

“With Mercedes, all the raving pre-season has been about their engine; it’s been about the fact that they’ve got an advantage over their competitors in that aspect.

“However, Formula 1 isn’t just about your engine; it’s about how your team operates at the highest level under pressure, it’s about the aerodynamic performance of your car.

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“We’ve seen Ferrari with their rear-wing concept; everyone feels like they’re bringing something new to the table with these new regulations.

“I do think that it’s definitely George’s biggest opportunity to win a championship since he’s been in Formula 1, though.

“Since he’s been with Mercedes, they haven’t been competitive enough to win a championship, and it feels like this year could be most likely his chance.”

Monger and Russell grew up karting together and were teammates in 2012 for Forza racing.

In 2017, Monger had a life-changing crash in British Formula 4 and became a double amputee, yet he returned to racing in Formula 3 just over a year later in one of sport’s most incredible comebacks.

The pair have consistently spoken highly of their friendship, and witnessing Monger’s crash became a major factor in Russell’s commitment to ensure more safety within the sport.

Facebook/George Russell

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As a result, he took on the role of director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association and continues to look for further safety improvements.

In July 2024, the pair reunited at Silverstone, with the Mercedes Formula 1 driver swapping four wheels for two, as they cycled around the circuit in preparation for Monger’s Ironman, which was completed for Comic Relief.

The former racing driver broke the Ironman World Championship record for a double amputee and finished in just over 14 hours.

Monger spoke on their biking session together and said: “It did feel kind of weird to be honest, to just be out on a bike ride with George.

“We’ve obviously been teammates from when we were in go-karts for a few years, and I know him and his family really well.

“Of course, it’s weird to all of a sudden be out for a bike ride together, but equally, George has been a massive supporter of mine and has shown support for what I’ve been doing.

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“Whether that was me going back to racing after my accident, showing support and being there for that.

“Whether it was the Ironman and even my first Comic Relief challenge, just the things that I get up to.

“I feel like he’s always someone that I know is going to be in my corner, sending me their best, and that’s very nice for me to have.”