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Mercedes driver George Russell believes the new generation of Formula 1 cars has fundamentally shifted the balance of power between teammates, citing the improved performance of Max Verstappen's Red Bull rivals as the clearest example.
Russell, currently second in the drivers' championship, 81 points behind his Mercedes teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli, claims this season shows unusual trends in teammate battles compared to previous years.
"It's been a strange season, looking at Oscar Piastri's competitiveness against Lando Norris last year, Charles Leclerc compared to Lewis Hamilton, and even Max's dominance over all his teammates in the previous era," Russell stated.
Russell highlighted his own struggles against Antonelli as part of a broader trend among the sport's usual frontrunners.
"This year, myself, Charles, and Oscar are finding it much tougher against our teammates," Russell said.
"And Max's teammates are significantly closer to him than anyone has been in the last six years."
Verstappen has had two teammates this season – Isack Hadjar for the first 11 Grands Prix and Liam Lawson for the final three, after the French driver sustained a wrist injury during a boxing training session over the summer break.
The Dutch driver is currently sixth in the standings with 145 points, with Hadjar seventh on 71 points and Lawson ninth with 59 points – a gap far smaller than the four-time champion's usual advantage over his teammates in recent seasons.
Russell believes the change stems from similar driving styles among the current crop of leading drivers.
"We all have quite similar driving styles, and the drivers are performing very well this year," he noted.
"Kimi, Lewis, and Lando also have quite similar driving styles. So, for me, it's very clear what I need to achieve with this car and these tires."
"The trends are there, as I said, with the drivers I just mentioned."
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