The Red Bull driver has backed Mercedes’ 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:George Russell as having the “potenti🀅al” to 🐈be a future world champion. 

Russell won back-to-back titles in GP3 (now F3) and F2 during his impressive ascent to F1, before impressing in sub-par machinery at Williams f🌱or three seasons. 

The 25-year-old Briton earned promotion to Mercedes for 2022 and claimed the team’s only victory in a torrid campaign as he unexpectedly outperformed teammate 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Lewis Hamilton. 

Russell ended his maiden season with Mercedes fourth in the championship, two places and 35 points clear of Hamilton as he became the first teammate to inflict a defeat on the seven-time world champion since 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Nico Rosberg in 2016. 

And Verstappen, who is looking to secure his third consecutive drivers’ crown in 2023 after romping to l🐽ast year’s title, believes Russell will fight for championships once he has a competitive-enough car. 

"George is part of the gener♑ation with Lando and Cha💮rles and me that grew up together," the Dutchman told the Daily Mail.

"I raced against George a bit in kartღing, though he's a year younger. You could see straight away he was good. 

"It came naturally to him – he didn't need a lot of lapꦿs to be🤪 quick. 

"He co🌼uld jump straight𓃲 in and battle at the front.”

Verstappen continued: "He has the pote🦋ntial to be🦂 a World Champion. 

"I haven't spent too much time with him, but he is a 💟good lad. 

"He has just moved to Mon🎃aco, so I may see more of him from now on.”

Verstappen’s arrival at this weekend’s168澳洲5最新开奖结果: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix has been delayed due to him being struck down by 🍸an illness. 

The reigning world champion will skip Thursday’s media day aft꧟er suffering from a “stomach bug” but is expected to be ready for the opening day of track action on Friday.