George Russell has revealed how watching Lando Norris celebrate his maiden F1 title win last season has motivated his own championship ambitions. The Mercedes driver, heading into the Australian Grand Prix as bookmakers' favorite, consciously observed Norris' celebrations in Abu Dhabi to fuel his drive for the 2026 crown.

Russell, 28, and Norris, 26, have been rivals since their karting days and now find themselves on opposite ends of the title race. With Russell considered the front-runner for this year's drivers' championship, Mercedes are also favorites for their first Constructors' Championship since 2021. The British driver emphasized his readiness to give everything in pursuit of the title.

In a playful exchange, Norris interrupted an interview to declare 'Mercedes are [favorites]!' when asked about Russell's title favorite status. The McLaren driver remains cautious despite his team's strong showing, noting it's a long season ahead. Both drivers are preparing for what promises to be a compelling championship battle between the generational rivals.