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."



Messi Quickly Scores in Return to Lineup, Inter Miami Tops Philadelphia Union 2-1

Inter Miami's Argentine forward #10 Lionel Messi controls the ball during the Major League Soccer match between Inter Miami FC and Philadelphia Union at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on March 29, 2025. (Photo by Chris Arjoon / AFP)
Inter Miami's Argentine forward #10 Lionel Messi controls the ball during the Major League Soccer match between Inter Miami FC and Philadelphia Union at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on March 29, 2025. (Photo by Chris Arjoon / AFP)
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Messi Quickly Scores in Return to Lineup, Inter Miami Tops Philadelphia Union 2-1

Inter Miami's Argentine forward #10 Lionel Messi controls the ball during the Major League Soccer match between Inter Miami FC and Philadelphia Union at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on March 29, 2025. (Photo by Chris Arjoon / AFP)
Inter Miami's Argentine forward #10 Lionel Messi controls the ball during the Major League Soccer match between Inter Miami FC and Philadelphia Union at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on March 29, 2025. (Photo by Chris Arjoon / AFP)

Lionel Messi made an immediate impact for Inter Miami against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday night, with what became the winning goal in a 2-1 victory that lifted the Herons into first place in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference.
Messi returned to the lineup and scored less than two minutes after subbing into the match early in the second half. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner took a pass from Luis Suarez on the right side of the penalty box, made a quick move and sent a right-footed shot past two defenders into the net for a 2-0 Inter Miami lead, The Associated Press reported.
It was Messi's second goal in three Major League Soccer matches this season. He did not start the match, but was cleared to play earlier in the week after missing some time — including two World Cup qualifiers for Argentina — with an adductor injury.
Daniel Gazdag got the goal for Philadelphia (4-2-0) in the 80th minute, but Inter Miami held on from there.
Messi also was dealing with an issue with his left thigh along with the adductor injury, which happened two weeks ago in an Inter Miami game against Atlanta. But the team did not play during that two-week stretch, so the only matches Messi missed were the World Cup qualifiers — when Argentina, which Messi captained to the 2022 title, qualified for the 2026 tournament.
Messi came on Saturday in the 55th minute, and the goal came in the 57th. He's had at least one point in all three MLS matches in which he has appeared this season for Inter Miami, which is 4-0-1 in MLS play and 8-0-1 overall this season when adding in four victories in CONCACAF Champions Cup matches.
Inter Miami jumped in front in the 23rd minute and took a 1-0 lead into halftime on a goal by Robert Taylor. Benjamin Cremaschi and Jordi Alba had the assists.
Messi came on for Taylor, and quickly stretched the lead to 2-0 with Suarez and Fafa Picault getting the assists.
The Union return home to play Orlando City next Saturday. Inter Miami — which continues CONCACAF Champions League play Wednesday at LAFC — will return to MLS play next Sunday, hosting Toronto FC.