RUSS AND THEM

Mercedes driver’s the one to beat

- BY DANIEL MOXON

THE POWER AND GLORY Russell driving his Mercedes to victory in Melbourne

PRESEASON testing in Formula One is always an enigma.

Most paddock people - and bookies - fancied Mercedes and George Russell heading into this new season, but nobody knew for sure who would come to the fore in Fl’s new era.

We do now after the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne’ Albert Park.

The jig was up in qualifying - team principal Toto Wolff's relaxed and slightly smug look told us all we needed to know without even looking at the timesheets.

Mercedes is back and, in Russell, they have the right man behind the wheel to propel them right back onto their perch. Having frustratingly joined Mercedes in 2022, just as their eight-year run of dominance came to an end, he has had to wait patiently for a shot at title glory.

Russell will surely get one this year, after a pole lap that blew away the competition before a largely serene Sunday drive to victory - once he had dispatched the Ferraris.