The Red Bull driver has backed Mercedes’ 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:George Russell as havin🎃g the “potential” to be a future world champion. 

Russell won baܫck-to-back titles in GP3 (now F3) and F2 during his impressive ascent to F1, before impressing in sub-par machinery at Williams for 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澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史: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澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Nico Rosberg in 2016. 

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

"George is part of the generation with Laౠndo and Charles and me that grew up together," thඣe Dutchman told the Daily Mail.

"I raced against George a bit in karting, 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 laps to be quick. 

"He♏𓃲 could jump straight in and battle at the front.”

Verstappen continued: "He has the potent🍒ial to be 🍸a World Champion. 

"I havenౠ't spent too much time with him, but he is a g✱ood lad. 

"He has jus﷽t moved♐ to Monaco, so I may see more of him from now on.”

Verstappen’s arrival at this weekend’s168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix has been delayed due to him being struck down by an ilꦍlness. 

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