Norris doesn’t hold back: “Russell wants to seem like a nice guy, but he’s sneaky”
Pre-season Formula 1 testing in February ended with a lively Ferrari at the top and Charles Leclerc leading the timesheets. Despite this, Red Bull, McLaren, and especially Mercedes reportedly held back strategically, keeping their full pace under wraps in anticipation of the championship start, so as not to reveal their cards too early to rivals.
According to bookmakers, George Russell is expected to arrive in Melbourne as a clear favorite. The Stuttgart-based power unit appears to have a significant advantage over the competition, and although Ferrari should be strong at the starts, many consider Mercedes the primary rival to beat.
Three drivers catch Norris’ attention for intelligence
World champion Lando Norris was asked by the Daily Mail about his thoughts on his fellow Brit, George Russell. He commented: George always knows what he’s doing. He wants to give the impression of being a nice guy, but he will always do what he has to do, sometimes even in a sneaky way. I think a lot about him; he’s clever and intelligent.
“I don’t know if he’s the sneakiest driver, but Russell is definitely smart,” the 26-year-old from Bristol added. “There are three drivers you need to watch closely in this regard. Hamilton is a seven-time world champion, the other is Verstappen,” who needs no introduction, “and then there’s George.”
Lando Norris’s assessment of George Russell therefore adds a fascinating layer of psychological warfare to the Australian Grand Prix weekend. By identifying the Briton alongside legends like Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen as the most “intelligent” and “underhanded” threats on the grid, the reigning champion is clearly bracing for a season where tactical cunning will be just as important as the power under the hood. In a year defined by a total regulatory reset, the ability to outmaneuver rivals both on and off the track will likely decide who leaves Melbourne with the early momentum in the title race.
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