F1 race winner names surprise 'underdog' in title battle

Three-time F1 race winner Johnny Herbert has labelled George Russell as an underdog in the ongoing title fight.

Russell has enjoyed a strong start to the season, scoring four podiums in the opening eight rounds - marking his best run to open a new campaign.

The Mercedes driver currently sits fourth in the championship, 62 points down on standings leader Oscar Piastri.

McLaren has had the strongest start to the campaign with six wins in eight grands prix, placing it at the head of both title races.

While the Woking-based squad has largely had the measure of the rest of the field so far, Herbert sees Russell as a minor threat in the long run.

“George Russell could be an underdog for the championship,” he told Fruity King. “He'll need a bit of luck. 

“The consistency that he's got has been, I think, very impressive. And he's got that hard edge. 

“He's had it from very early on in his career. He has always been very, very confident. And I think we're seeing the confidence in the cockpit.”

Russell stepped up to a team leader role this year following the exit of Lewis Hamilton to Mercedes, with rookie Kimi Antonelli joining him at the squad.

As the 18-year-old continues to get up to speed in F1, Herbert thinks Russell is already seeing the threat Antonelli could pose.

“He's always got to keep an eye out for his team-mate, because I think George is beginning to be aware of Kimi Antonelli,” Herbert added.

“He needs to make sure that he is the one the team is going to be supporting. You've always got to be the one that everybody will trust. 

“And they trust George because he's delivering very consistently.”