Leclerc "could bet on a win" for Russell on Mercedes debut
Leclerc "could bet on a win" for Russell on Mercedes debut
Charles Leclerc said he "could bet on" George Russell taking victory in his debut with Mercedes at the Sakhir Grand Prix.
Russell has switched from his usual Williams seat to fill the space vacated by Lewis Hamilton as the world champion self-isolates following a positive Covid test after last weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix.
Asked what the Briton could achieve, Ferrari driver Leclerc replied: "For me, a podium at least. I have some hope for a win. It is very optimistic but I know that he is very good. I could bet on a win."
Leclerc and Russell have known each other for the best part of a decade, having risen through the junior ranks together in order to reach Formula One.
The pair were part of the 'Twitch quartet' that provided so much entertainment during the fallow months of the lockdown earlier this season along with Red Bull driver Alex Albon and McLaren's Lando Norris.
The Monegasque wished Hamilton well but feels the champion's illness has given Russell a great chance to further prove his worth on the grid after a season in which he has already demonstrated his talents despite driving backmarker machinery.
"I hope Lewis is ok and that he will recover quickly," added Leclerc. "For George, it is an amazing opportunity. I have known him for a lot of years. I was team-mates with Alex [Albon] and George back in 2011 in karting.
"Now, he finally has the opportunity to race for a top team. I don't know how long for, whether it will be for one weekend or two and I think he will show how good a driver he is this weekend.
"Of course, he has shown it before, but now having the opportunity to be fighting further up with the best car out there is a great opportunity for him and I hope he will do well."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Verstappen takes F1 swipe at Hamilton and rivals with ruthless remark
- Just now
Marko defends Ricciardo in 'unbelievable' idiot claim
- 1 hour ago
Hamilton hints at sensational Newey arrival at Ferrari
- 2 hours ago
Suspended Red Bull employee 'grilled' as Horner saga given potential END DATE
- 3 hours ago
BLOW for former F1 champion as Mercedes preferences revealed
- 3 hours ago
F1 boss HITS BACK at star driver over schedule complaints
- Today 17:58
Related news
Big name driver 'very angry internally' after controversial battle
Ferrari F1 star concedes key advantage in crucial team-mate battle
Leclerc hints at early F1 RETIREMENT
FIA slammed for 'ridiculous' Russell investigation
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860