Russell: I need to work on some elements to achieve better race pace

Russell outqualified former Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton 19-5 over the course of the 2024 F1 season, but the former insisted he could do better in races.

Russell is now gearing up for the 2025 F1 season where he will be leading Mercedes' charge since his rookie teammate Kimi Antonelli will be learning the ropes in the top flight.

Speaking to Mercedes' official website, the Briton discussed his targets for 2025; he said: "My goals are very much the same and the approach has not changed. Formula 1 is so unique, so you cannot really set goals like that.

"If I say that I want to win four races this year because last year I won three, I am not going to be satisfied if I win five but the car is capable of 10.

"I tend to keep my goals on more details targets," he went on. "Last year Qualifying was my strength, but my race pace was not always the best. I know I have the speed over one lap but there is no reason why I should not be able to convert that over the course of a race.

"I need to work on some elements to achieve that, and there will be some other goals – that perhaps are not clear to the fans at home but are at the forefront of my mind.

"The great thing about F1 is you enter a new year, with a new car and new limitations – something that may have been a strength last year may not be this year. You always have to adapt," Russell maintained.

The winner of three Grands Prix claimed he is eager to get going after the winter break; he added: "The break is needed for everyone in Formula 1, but in all honesty, I was eager to get back to it.

"What’s so great being back is that you see how motivated everybody is to go racing and see how the car is," he revealed.

Russell will take part in the unveiling of Mercedes' 2025 livery during the F1 75 Live season launch event at London’s The O2 on February 18.

His W16 will be unveiled on February 24, after which he will take part in pre-season testing in Bahrain on February 26-28. The first race, the Australian Grand Prix, will be on March 16.