Mercedes' Russell Says McLaren 'Should Win Every Race'

Mercedes' driver George Russell (center) talks with members of his team ahead of the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit. HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP
Mercedes' driver George Russell (center) talks with members of his team ahead of the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit. HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP
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Mercedes' Russell Says McLaren 'Should Win Every Race'

Mercedes' driver George Russell (center) talks with members of his team ahead of the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit. HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP
Mercedes' driver George Russell (center) talks with members of his team ahead of the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit. HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP

George Russell said Thursday he believes McLaren have a bigger performance advantage than Red Bull enjoyed in 2023 -- a season in which they won all but one race.

The Mercedes driver, who was third in the first race of the season in Melbourne a week ago, said McLaren were capable of winning all 24 races in 2025 and leaving Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari in their wake.

McLaren's Lando Norris won the season-opener, with Red Bull's world champion Max Verstappen second, AFP said.

"They're clearly doing something better than the rest," the Englishman Russell told reporters of McLaren ahead of this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix.

"I think that car is definitely capable of winning every race, and their car should win every race, but I don't think they will," he said.

"I think the gap they have on everybody this year is bigger than Red Bull has ever had," Russell added ominously.

Russell said the McLarens of Norris and Oscar Piastri would make mistakes and that would give the other teams a chance.

Last Sunday Piastri's late spin enabled Verstappen to come second and helped Russell get on the podium.

"Hopefully we can be there to capitalize like we were at the weekend," added Russell.

"Because that should have been obviously a one-two for those guys."



Goffin Stuns Alcaraz, Djokovic Makes Winning Miami Return

David Goffin of Belgium returns a shot against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during Day 4 of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on March 21, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Getty Images/AFP)
David Goffin of Belgium returns a shot against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during Day 4 of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on March 21, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Getty Images/AFP)
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Goffin Stuns Alcaraz, Djokovic Makes Winning Miami Return

David Goffin of Belgium returns a shot against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during Day 4 of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on March 21, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Getty Images/AFP)
David Goffin of Belgium returns a shot against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during Day 4 of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on March 21, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Getty Images/AFP)

Carlos Alcaraz fell 5-7 6-4 6-3 to Belgian David Goffin in the Miami Open second round on Friday while Novak Djokovic tied Rafa Nadal for most ATP Masters 1000 match wins and Russia's Mirra Andreeva took another step toward a "Sunshine Double".

Goffin led the second seed by a break in each of the three sets and secured the victory on his second match point when a sliding Alcaraz was unable to retrieve a forehand the Belgian ripped into the corner.

Up next for Goffin is Brandon Nakashima, a 6-4 4-6 6-3 winner over Roberto Carballes Baena.

Six-times champion Djokovic made his long-awaited Miami Open return and defeated Australian Rinky Hijikata 6-0 7-6(1) to reach the third round.

It marked Djokovic's first Miami appearance since 2019 and the Serbian fourth seed's victory was his 410th ATP Masters 1000 match win, tying him with Rafa Nadal atop the all-time list.

"I wanted to make a statement to myself and to others, as well, that I'm still able to play on a high level," Djokovic told reporters.

"I lost (my last) two tournaments in my first rounds, so I really was eager to get the win in the first match in Miami Open."

It was all one-way traffic in the opening set as Djokovic showcased his superior shotmaking from the baseline along with a lethal service game to make a perfect start and needed just 27 minutes to wrap up the opening set.

But Hijikata refused to back down and his confidence grew during a tightly-contested second set where neither player could manage a break, but Djokovic took over in the tiebreak where he won the final six points.

Russian seventh seed Daniil Medvedev, the 2023 Miami champion who arrived this year fresh off a run to the Indian Wells semi-finals, crashed out at the first hurdle as he fell 6-2 6-3 to Spaniard Jaume Munar.

Former Miami finalists Casper Ruud and Grigor Dimitrov both advanced while Australian Kyrgios, who this week earned his first win since 2022, fell 7-6(3) 6-0 to Karen Khachanov.

On the women's side, Andreeva, making her Miami Open debut fresh off winning the first leg of the Sunshine Double at Indian Wells, was a 6-0 6-2 winner over Veronika Kudermetova and will next face Doha champion Amanda Anisimova.

Polish second seed Iga Swiatek beat Caroline Garcia for the second time in as many tournaments with a 6-2 7-5 victory that sets up a third-round clash with Belgian Elise Mertens, a 6-4 6-1 winner over American Peyton Stearns.

Australian Open champion Madison Keys advanced with a 6-3 6-3 win over Armenia's Elina Avanesyan to set up a third round clash with Filipino wildcard Alexandra Eala, who beat Latvian 25th seed Jelena Ostapenko 7-6(2) 7-5.

Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu also advanced with a 7-6(6) 2-6 7-6(3) win over Emma Navarro. Among the other women advancing were Spanish 10th seed Paula Badosa and Czech 15th seed Karolina Muchova.