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."



Paolini Becomes First Italian in 11 Years to Reach Rome Final

Jasmine Paolini of Italy celebrates after winning the semi-final tennis match against Peyton Stearns of the United States at the Italian Open at the Foro Italico, in Rome, Thursday, May 15, 2025, (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Jasmine Paolini of Italy celebrates after winning the semi-final tennis match against Peyton Stearns of the United States at the Italian Open at the Foro Italico, in Rome, Thursday, May 15, 2025, (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
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Paolini Becomes First Italian in 11 Years to Reach Rome Final

Jasmine Paolini of Italy celebrates after winning the semi-final tennis match against Peyton Stearns of the United States at the Italian Open at the Foro Italico, in Rome, Thursday, May 15, 2025, (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Jasmine Paolini of Italy celebrates after winning the semi-final tennis match against Peyton Stearns of the United States at the Italian Open at the Foro Italico, in Rome, Thursday, May 15, 2025, (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Jasmine Paolini became the first Italian woman in more than a decade to reach the final of her home Italian Open when she beat American Peyton Stearns 7-5 6-1 on Thursday.

Paolini is the first Italian to advance to the final in Rome since her doubles partner Sara Errani lost to Serena Williams in 2014.

Paolini had found herself a set and 4-0 down to Diana Shnaider in her quarter-final tie before storming to victory and once again the world number five had a slow start in the opening set before mounting a comeback.

"I am very happy, I don't know what to say! It's a dream to be here, it's a dream to play in Italy, it's a dream to be able to play the final," the 29-year-old said, according to Reuters.

Any hopes of a quick start for Paolini were put to rest when Stearns jumped into a 3-0 lead amid muted applause from the home crowd as the Italian soon found herself 4-1 down.

The American looked comfortable and poised to take the opening set before Paolini clawed her way back as she saved set points to level it at 5-5, pumping her fist with a triumphant scream that got the crowd roaring again.

The comeback was complete when Paolini, having won four games in a row, took the opening set after more than an hour of play.

The momentum was firmly with Paolini as she broke Stearns for a fifth time to go 4-1 up in the second set and the deflated American had no answer as the Italian's winners whizzed past her.

Stearns fired a forehand wide on match point as the crowd erupted and Paolini raised her arms in celebration.

"You (the crowd) gave me a boost because today it was a bit of an uphill start and I struggled at the beginning, thank goodness you were there," she added.

"We won this match together. Point after point I managed to fight, to turn it around, even if at the beginning I did not have a good feeling. But I am happy with the way I managed to turn this match around."