George Russell has insisted there is “no reason” to be at odds with team-mate Lewis Hamilton should Mercedes F1 return to the title fight in 2023.
A massive regulation overhaul has shaken the pecking order dramatically, with Mercedes F1 having had a very difficult season chasing rivals Red Bull and Ferrari for much of 2022 as the third fastest team, George Russell is Lewis. Developed a strong partnership in his first season as teammates with Hamilton.
Despite a challenging season, George Russell impressed in his debut season with Mercedes F1, ending the season in a career-best 4th place in the drivers’ standings. His maiden win at the F1 Sao Paulo GP was the team’s first and last victory of the season.
George Russell, 24, has expressed confidence in maintaining a healthy relationship with seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton.
“If you’re doing a one-two, the dynamics are slightly different, but that’s normal,” Russell told Crash.net.
“But I think we’re at very different stages in our careers. I feel like we’re really working together in a way.”
“If we have a car capable of a one-two finish next year, we will be proud to have contributed together to help the team achieve it, and then we will go about our business. be able to”
“But there is no reason to be against each other. We have a good relationship. We have to respect each other. I think we respected each other in Mexico as an example.”
“The whole team recognizes the importance of that. If our relationship starts to break down, it will affect the team and eventually it will completely circulate and affect us as well.”
“I think we can continue to build on it. If anything, our relationship will become closer as time goes on.”
George Russell finished two places ahead of Lewis Hamilton by 35 points. He became the third driver to beat Hamilton in the same car during an F1 season, following Jenson Button in 2011 and Nico Rosberg in 2016.
But George Russell has repeatedly downplayed the importance of finishing ahead of Lewis Hamilton throughout his first season at Mercedes.
Asked if he was personally satisfied with his performance against Lewis Hamilton, George Russell said: “I am certainly satisfied with my personal performance to some extent.
“It’s no secret that Lewis had a bit of a tricky ride at the beginning of the season, and maybe that gave him an opportunity to score some more points, but likewise, it’s pretty even between the two of us. And that’s good for me.”
“Racing drivers want to be the fastest every time they hit the track, and fairness is also a difficult pill to swallow because we believe in ourselves and make the most of it. Because I always believe that I can take advantage of it.”
“But when you have someone like Lewis by your side and you’re performing at such a high level, once a week, week after week, you can’t be the fastest in the team every week.”
“The amount of points we scored this year would have been enough to finish third in last year’s championship. thinking”
Category: F1 / George Russell / Lewis Hamilton / mercedes