Is George Russell better than Charles Leclerc?

[TeamKoolGreen]

As the results start to roll in this year , the question has to be asked. Both Leclerc and Russell won the F2 title in their rookie year and they both won 7 races. Russell did have harder competition though , going against future #1s Norris and Albon.

Was Sainz really that good in 2023 and 2024? Or was it lackluster performances from Leclerc playing a part ?

If Hamilton can challenge Leclerc consistently this year , coming into a new team then it really puts into question whether Leclerc is better than Russell. I don't think he is.

[nitrotech]

Russell’s ability to extract results from subpar Williams and inconsistent Mercedes cars suggests a higher ceiling relative to equipment. If he’d driven Leclerc’s Ferraris, he might have matched or exceeded Leclerc’s haul—his 2022 season (P4 in a car often behind Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren) supports this. Conversely, Leclerc in Russell’s Williams or 2022-2023 Mercedes might’ve struggled to stand out as much, given his reliance on a strong car to shine.

Russell’s grit in tougher conditions gives him an edge in Sunday adaptability. Leclerc’s pace is dazzling, but his record suggests he needs a near-perfect package to maximize it. If Hamilton challenges Leclerc this year in a Ferrari tailored to Leclerc’s style, while Russell dominates Antonelli in a potentially resurgent Mercedes, the “who’s better” debate would surely tilt fully towards Russell.

[Sphere3758]

The only thing that is clear is that they are both better than Lando Norris

George and Charles are both top notch qualifiers. Anyone who thinks George is doing magic in slower cars just needs to remember that Charles was on the front row for 8 races in a row at the end of 2023/start of 2024.

There is something about the car since 2024 that has neutralized his incredible q3 laps a bit. But I would still pick him any day of the week, alongside Max, if we had a quali championship in equal cars.

He is a step above George in race pace imo

[chrisc90]

I think the only way you could properly compare them would be to stick the whole grid in F2, a spec series, and let them do a weekend of that.

'Issue' with F1 is that the cars are so different in many ways and the window to get the things like tyres in can play a MASSIVE factor whether you can string a single hot lap together or have some epic race pace. If your car babies the tyres, it can make a 'lesser' driver make a professional look like a rookie.

Im sure if you put Russell in the 2016 - 2021 Mercedes, he would have been on the podium each weekend.

Too many variables in the cars for me to make a good comparison.

Would be good to see how the 'rookies' vs the established team members plays out over the season - but the thread has to remain open for long enough for that to happen. Easier said than done given previous track records on topics like these. Shame.

[Sevach]

Team mate cross comparisons are always tricky(which season of Russell vs Hamilton do we chose? Their battle fluctuated wildly), and even then this is way too early.
This is one weekend were Hamilton has Leclerc under control so far, after Charles was faster in Australia.

[Mosin123]

Russell’s ability to extract results from subpar Williams and inconsistent Mercedes cars suggests a higher ceiling relative to equipment. If he’d driven Leclerc’s Ferraris, he might have matched or exceeded Leclerc’s haul—his 2022 season (P4 in a car often behind Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren) supports this. Conversely, Leclerc in Russell’s Williams or 2022-2023 Mercedes might’ve struggled to stand out as much, given his reliance on a strong car to shine.

Russell’s grit in tougher conditions gives him an edge in Sunday adaptability. Leclerc’s pace is dazzling, but his record suggests he needs a near-perfect package to maximize it. If Hamilton challenges Leclerc this year in a Ferrari tailored to Leclerc’s style, while Russell dominates Antonelli in a potentially resurgent Mercedes, the “who’s better” debate would surely tilt fully towards Russell.

Why would it? Antonelli is not expected to beat GR, he isnt expected to get close to GR. you cant compare LH v CL to GR v Antonelli.

an equally treated LH v GR last season would most likely have seen a repeat of the 2023 season..

[AR3-GP]

Lock it up, mods

[hollus]

My driver is better than yours threads... not the ethos of this forum. We already get too much of that in team threads.