George Russell: Red Bull 'should win every single race this year'
We're only one race into the 2023 Formula 1 season, but Mercedes' George Russell thinks nine teams can already pack it in on the championship chase.
"Red Bull have got this championship sewn up," Russell said, according to Nate Saunders of ESPN. "I don't think anyone will be fighting with them this year. They should win every single race this year, is my bet.
"They've got it easy at the moment. They can do what they like. They might not be on pole all the time because we know Ferrari are very competitive in qualifying, but when it comes to race pace, they're in a very strong position."
Russell placed seventh in F1's season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday, nearly one minute back of reigning champ Max Verstappen, who led each of the race's 57 laps. Verstappen's Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez came second but did deal with some competition from Ferrari until Charles Leclerc's late retirement on Lap 41.
Red Bull is coming off its first double championship since 2013, winning both the drivers' and constructors' titles. Verstappen set a record last year by winning the most races in a single season (15).
While Russell seems ready to capitulate and battle for second at best, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner disagrees with the Brit's assessment.
"Twenty-three races is a marathon," Horner rebutted. "It's about being consistent over the campaign. Today was a great start. We full expect our rivals to come back hard in the future races."
The next race weekend kicks off March 17 for the Saudi Arabia GP.