The quote isn't true. This isn't in fact Google's "preferred 2FA method". If I need another factor (for example if I were to log into my Google account from some random device) I can just use any of my Security Keys or other means to do U2F/WebAuthn, which is - in fact - Google's preferred 2FA method.

Also, as the article already says, as does Google's announcement, this won't do anything at all if you don't have any suitable additional factors.