George Russell Sends CHILLING McLaren Warning to Max Verstappen and the Rest of the Grid After Japanese GP Fumble
George Russell has issued a stark warning to Max Verstappen and the rest of the Formula 1 grid, singling out McLaren as the team to watch after their impressive pace at the Japanese Grand Prix. Despite a tough weekend for Mercedes, Russell had his eyes fixed on the rising threat posed by McLaren, who showed blistering form at Suzuka.
Speaking after the race, Russell didn’t mince words: “Everyone’s watching Red Bull, but McLaren is quietly becoming the real danger. If they keep this momentum, they could be unstoppable by mid-season.” The British driver acknowledged that Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were “on another level” throughout the weekend, with Norris finishing strongly and Piastri once again proving his potential.
Russell’s comments come as a wake-up call for Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who despite remaining a championship favorite, showed signs of vulnerability in Japan. A rare strategic misstep and increased pressure from rival teams narrowed the gap more than many expected.
“Red Bull isn’t cruising anymore,” Russell added. “We all saw what happened in Japan. Mistakes are creeping in, and McLaren is the one capitalizing on them.”
McLaren’s recent upgrades and consistently strong qualifying performances have catapulted them into serious contention for podiums — and potentially race wins. With each race, the Woking-based team inches closer to challenging Red Bull’s dominance.
While Mercedes continues to battle with its own performance inconsistencies, Russell’s words serve as both a warning and motivation — not just for his team, but for the rest of the grid. If McLaren keeps climbing, the second half of the season could see a dramatic shake-up in the title fight.
The grid has been warned: McLaren is coming — and fast.
