Jarno Trulli admits 25-year-old driver could have an outside chance to win 2024 F1 world championship

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Former Formula 1 driver Jarno Trulli has admitted that Mercedes driver George Russell might have an outside chance of winning the 2024 Drivers’ Championship.

George Russell’s debut season with Mercedes in 2022 was fantastic, outscoring seven-time world champion teammate Lewis Hamilton.

And speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Trulli has suggested that the 25-year-old could challenge Red Bull this year if given the right car.

Last year was tough for Mercedes despite the fact they finished runners-up to Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship.

Russell and Hamilton both failed to win a Grand Prix but were consistent enough to record regular podium finishes between them.

The 25-year-old only secured top-three finishes twice but ended the season on a high with a fantastic drive in Abu Dhabi.

Karun Chandhok has suggested that Russell took a step backwards in 2023 and considering Hamilton was in contention to finish above Sergio Perez going into the final few races, maybe he should have performed better.

Jarno Trulli has backed Russell to return to his best in 2024 and thinks he could challenge at the very top if he has the right car underneath him.

While Mercedes will be looking for a marked improvement on last year, it won’t be easy for Russell even if they close the gap to Red Bull.

It would mean that Hamilton also has a faster car and if he sniffs a chance of breaking Michael Schumacher’s record, then he’ll be incredibly difficult to beat.

Trulli backs Russell as an outside contender in 2024

Speaking about the one-time race winner, Trulli said: “While the unexpected outsider for the World Championship could be George Russell if Mercedes becomes competitive and able to challenge Red Bull again.”

All the signs point towards Russell being a potential challenger in the right car, but his current competition on the grid might make winning his first championship a difficult task.

Verstappen and Perez are unlikely to be any slower this year meaning Mercedes have a huge gap to close over the winter.

Russell will be aware that Hamilton can’t go on forever despite the fact both drivers are signed up until the end of 2025.

He needs to position himself as Toto Wolff’s number-one choice for when the legendary Brit eventually retires.

Putting in a title challenge in 2024 as Trulli suggests would finally cement Russell as Mercedes’s best choice for that car going forward.