Russell: Formula 1 is so unique that you can’t set goals

For George Russell, it’s a chance to return to familiar surroundings in Brackley and set new goals. In the first part of an interview on the Mercedes F1 team's website, the 26-year-old Briton opened up about his preparations for the season ahead, his personal targets, but is wary of making predictions until he knows what car he will be driving in 2025.

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As he walked into the Mercedes factory for the first time this year, Russell shared: “The break is needed for everyone in Formula 1, but in all honesty, I was eager to get back to it. There is a bit of time until the first race, but the first day here is a step towards that. What’s so great about being back is seeing how motivated everybody is to go racing and how excited everyone is to see the car.”

Russell hasn’t let the off-season slow him down. He resumed his physical preparation almost immediately after the New Year: “I started my physical preparation with Aleix [trainer] on 2 January. We’ve done a few weeks now, and the second week was absolutely brutal."

“We build into it – the last thing you want to do is go out too hard and injure yourself. I kept moving over the break anyway, keeping mobile to avoid sitting around all day doing nothing. Exercise for me is more than just a physique; it’s a great way of making me feel good and helps my mental health – that’s why I don’t want to stop," explained the Mercedes driver.

When it comes to setting goals, Russell takes a pragmatic approach, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of Formula 1: “They remain very much the same, and the approach has not changed. Formula 1 is so unique that you can’t really set goals like ‘win four races’ because if the car is capable of winning 10, five wins wouldn’t be enough.

“I tend to keep my goals on more detailed targets. Last year, qualifying was my strength, but my race pace wasn’t always the best. I know I have the speed over one lap, but there’s no reason why I shouldn’t be able to convert that over the course of a race.

“There will be some other goals – perhaps not clear to the fans at home but very much at the forefront of my mind. The great thing about F1 is that every year brings a new car and new limitations. Something that was a strength last year might not be this year. You always have to adapt," explained Russell.

The 26-year-old Briton finished P6 in the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship standings beating his former teammate Lewis Hamilton. This year, Russell will share the Mercedes garage with teenage rookie Kimi Antonelli.