Mercedes' Russell says McLaren 'should win every race'

George Russell said Thursday he believes McLaren have a bigger performance advantage than Red Bull enjoyed in 2023 -- a season in which they won all but one race.

The Mercedes driver, who was third in the first race of the season in Melbourne a week ago, said McLaren were capable of winning all 24 races in 2025 and leaving Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari in their wake.

McLaren's Lando Norris won the season-opener, with Red Bull's world champion Max Verstappen second.

"They're clearly doing something better than the rest," the Englishman Russell told reporters of McLaren ahead of this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix.

"I think that car is definitely capable of winning every race, and their car should win every race, but I don't think they will," he said.

"I think the gap they have on everybody this year is bigger than Red Bull has ever had," Russell added ominously.

Russell said the McLarens of Norris and Oscar Piastri would make mistakes and that would give the other teams a chance.

Last Sunday Piastri's late spin enabled Verstappen to come second and helped Russell get on the podium.

"Hopefully we can be there to capitalise like we were at the weekend," added Russell.

"Because that should have been obviously a one-two for those guys."