George Russell has revealed that watching Lando Norris celebrate his first F1 title at the end of last season was the “driver” to emulate his compatriot this year.
Mercedes driver Russell heads into this weekend’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix as bookmakers’ favorite to win the world championship. That title is currently held by Norris, a longtime friend and generational rival.
In an interview with Sky Sports’ Craig Slater in Melbourne, which will be broadcast in full during Sky Sports F1’s live coverage of the Australian Grand Prix from 2.30am on Sunday, Russell said he consciously incorporated Norris’s in-person celebrations when fellow Briton Norris became world champion at the 2025 finale last December.
“I watched Lando celebrate and I was sitting in the car when we got back from the pits in Abu Dhabi,” Russell said.
“I wanted to watch it because I thought it would give me more courage. And I think it did.”
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Lando Norris celebrates becoming world champion with tears, donuts and hugs!
Russell is considered the favorite to win this year’s drivers’ title, and Mercedes are also favorites to win their first constructors’ championship since 2021, the season before Russell joined the team from Williams.
“I feel like I’m ready to give it my all and in the end that’s all we can do,” Russell said as he prepared for his eighth season in F1 and fifth with Mercedes.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I know I’m giving my best and the team is giving their best. What happens, it will happen.
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“As I sit and listen right now, there’s not much more I can do. I’m sure you’ll learn a lot this weekend and things will happen that you didn’t think about.”
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Russell, 28, and Norris, 26, have been battling each other on the track since their days as junior karting drivers, and often engage in playful exchanges in the media.
In a separate interview on Sky Sports F1, which will be broadcast during Sunday’s 2.30am race broadcast in Melbourne, Norris interrupted a question about the fact Russell was favorite for the title, saying: “Mercedes are (favorites)!”
So when asked if he expected Russell’s teammate Kimi Antonelli to challenge the more experienced British player this year, Norris replied: “You never know! I’m just saying Mercedes are the favorites.”
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“Mercedes looks very good, but it’s a very long year so we’re not going to get ahead of ourselves.
“We still have a chance, so we will do our best to fight everyone as much as possible.”
Sky Sports F1 Australian GP Schedule
Saturday, March 7th
0.10am: F3 sprint*
1:10am: Australian GP Practice 3 (session starts at 1:30am)*
3:05am: F2 Sprint*
4:10am: Australian GP qualifying build-up*
5am: Australian Grand Prix Qualifying*
7am: Ted’s Qualification Notebook*
9:45pm: F3 Feature Race*
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Sunday, March 8th
12:20am: F2 Feature Race*
2:30am: Preparation for Australian Grand Prix: Grand Prix Sunday*
4am: Australian Grand Prix*
6am: Australian Grand Prix reaction: Checkered flag*
7am: Ted’s Notes*
7.55am: Australian GP race replay*
10am: Australian GP Highlights (also on Sky One)*
*Also held at Sky Sports Main Event
Watch every race of the 2026 F1 season live on Sky Sports, starting with the Australian Grand Prix this weekend. Stream Sky Sports now – cancel anytime with no contract
