New Mercedes driver George Russell, our ‘insider’, is not expecting an easy season in 2022 with his new team, with the Briton believing there will be several teams vying for the world title this year in F1.

George Russell joined the Mercedes team this year after spending three seasons at Williams. The British driver arrives at the team having won the constructors’ title eight times since 2014, but with the introduction of new technical rules this season, Russell expects other teams on the grid to enter the title battle this year.

“A team like Ferrari who have been through a difficult period over the last couple of years are going to be so hungry, especially with this new rule change, to come back and fight, as is McLaren as well.” said George Russell.

“These teams have the infrastructure and the talent within the engineering department, with the drivers as well, to really fight back. I really believe there are five teams all capable of really doing something special next year, so you absolutely have to be on top of it, and I think development is going to be absolutely key [in 2022].”

A host of rule changes combined with the cost cap mean that a development war will certainly determine the winner of the championship next season according to Russell:

“It’s not going to be whoever has the fastest car [in winter testing or at the first race]; it’s whoever manages to understand the car well and can develop and build on that foundation throughout the year. And I think all the teams are going to make great progress from the first race to the end of the season.”