"I know my time will come," the British national, 27, asserts. "And I simply need to make sure that I continue to deliver." And it will happen this year or the following year. "And if I keep delivering those results, as I did over these last three years against the best driver of all time, I believe I will get myself in the fight and hopefully a world championship to my name."

For as long as he has been racing, Russell has had a strong sense of self-confidence. However, his time with Mercedes as Lewis Hamilton's teammate fostered it. Last year, Russell became the first driver in Hamilton's 18-year career to comprehensively beat the seven-time champion in qualifying over a full season. The head-to-head score was 19-five to Russell, at an average advantage of 0.171 seconds a lap. And over their three years together since 2022, Russell finished ahead in the championship in two of them.