George Russell insight offered in major Lando Norris comparison

Former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer believes there is a major difference between how George Russell is behaving and how Lando Norris behaved at the start of last season.

At the start of Norris' successful title challenge in 2025, the Briton was often complaining about not feeling comfortable with his car, despite claiming race wins.

Russell, on the other hand, has oozed confidence since the Barcelona shakedown test and has remained upbeat even after being beaten by Kimi Antonelli in China and Japan.

Ahead of this weekend's Miami Grand Prix, the King's Lynn-born driver remains the favourite to become world champion, given his speed and, crucially, his experience.

Antonelli, while still only 19, is rapidly growing in self-belief and is the youngest driver in the history of F1 to lead the championship.

As yet, Russell has not been fazed by this, with Palmer believing he has what it takes to simply take it in his stride.

Asked if Russell has the patience and maturity to handle Antonelli growing in confidence, Palmer told the F1 Nation podcast: "I feel like he does at the moment. I feel like there's a difference when I look at George compared to Lando last year, where I think Lando felt like there was more pressure on his shoulders, just with the way he was speaking — the way he was saying he wasn't comfortable with the car.

"He arrived in China having won in Melbourne, but he was still saying, 'I'm not feeling the love from the car.' George, by contrast, has his shoulders back. He is just waltzing down the paddock. He still has that confident air about him.

"And I think every time he turns up at the moment, he thinks he's going to win. It didn't happen in Japan, but I don't see him having any sort of pressure on his shoulders yet. Of course, it must be there, but I don't see that coming after just one weekend where he's been categorically outpaced.

"Maybe it'll come in a few races, but for now, I think he's still confident."