George Russell has set his sights on proving himself in a fight for an F1 title and is eager to go toe-to-toe against Max Verstappen.<\/p>\n
Russell has spent the last four seasons racing for Mercedes, – however, his arrival occurred right as the Brackley-based squad hit a slip in the pecking order.<\/p>\n
The Briton has won five grands prix since joining Mercedes squad but has been forced to watch his peers Verstappen and Lando Norris enjoy title success.<\/p>\n
With a major regulation overhaul coming into play next year, Mercedes has been tipped by many to commence the new era in strong fashion.<\/p>\n
Russell is hopeful it will be his chance to consistently fight at the front.<\/p>\n
\u201cI definitely know I can mix it with those guys at the top,\u201d Russell told select media including RacingNews365. \u201cMax is obviously the gold standard at the moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s the one that I’d want to go head-to-head with, and I think he’s the only one that people would question.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s the only driver on the grid that you’d want to be team-mates with to see your competitiveness.\u201d<\/p>\n
Russell established himself as a team leader at Mercedes following the exit of Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari earlier this year.<\/p>\n
The 27-year-old used Michael Schumacher’s run of title-less years with Ferrari before breaking through at the head of the field as an example of how he is considering his own situation.<\/p>\n
\u201cI always remind myself of Schumacher at Ferrari that it took five years with the team before the first championship,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople only remember the glory years but no one remembers 1996, 1997.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt wasn\u2019t a failure but there were no championship wins.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd for me to finish second in the championship, or 20th in the championship, honestly it’s kind of the same thing.<\/p>\n