McLaren gap bigger than Red Bull ever had - Russell

George Russell took third in Melbourne behind McLarens Lando Norris and Red Bulls Max Verstappen

McLarens advantage over the field is "bigger than Red Bull has ever had" and their car is "capable of winning every race", says Mercedes driver George Russell.

Norris held off Red Bulls Max Verstappen to win the season-opening Australian Grand Prix last weekend after he and team-mate Oscar Piastri took a one-two in qualifying, more than 0.3 seconds clear of the field.

Red Bulls Verstappen has won the past four drivers championships and particularly dominated the 2022 and 2023 seasons. In 2023, Red Bull won 21 of the 22 races.

Russell said of McLaren before this weekends Chinese Grand Prix: "Their car should win every race but I dont think they will win every race this year. Lets see.

"The gap they have this year on everybody is bigger than Red Bull has ever had. But when Max was in that [2023] car he was pretty reliable every single lap he did, every single run in Q3, throughout qualifying, never really a question."

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Norris team-mate Oscar Piastri said Russells views were "pretty far-fetched".

The Australian added: "Our car was very strong in Melbourne, but were very aware it was an exceptional weekend rather than what we expect as the norm. We have a strong car, but its still within reach for the others."

Briton Russell, who finished third in Melbourne on Sunday, said that McLarens main advantage was founded on the cars ability to look after its tyres.

"If youre talking about trying to find that amount of lap time in downforce that isnt going to happen in a season and its never happened in a season," Russell said.

"Theyre clearly doing something better than the rest, clearly substantially quicker than everybody when the tyres are getting hot."

Verstappen agreed, saying: "McLaren are quite far ahead, I dont think Im an idiot in the wet but I didnt have a chance to fight in the first half of the race."