Toto Wolff, team head of the Mercedes F1, says Lewis Hamilton and George Russell’s new productive partnership is “one of the few highlights” the team has enjoyed so far this season.
No one would have expected the champion Mercedes F1 to have a hard time in the midfield with no wins in four races prior to the 2022 season.
However, the regulation of the new era of F1 unexpectedly hampered Mercedes F1’s plans, and their new-generation F1 car was significantly different from the Scuderia Ferrari and Red Bull Racing cars.
At least George Russell has been successful and has a smooth relationship with Lewis Hamilton while struggling to overcome the problems that hinder the Mercedes W13.
“I’m very impressed with how George is helping to calm down and assess the situation professionally and analytically,” Toto Wolff said.
“This combination is one of the few highlights I’ve experienced during my journey. The two work together well without friction. On the contrary, they are very productive and positive for the team.”
“I can’t be more satisfied with the driver lineup. In that respect, I think we have two of the best two drivers, perhaps two of the best three.”
“They deserve cars and power units fighting at the front, not laps behind. It’s not deserving of any of them.”
After the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix last weekend, several prominent critics, including former F1 drivers Nico Rosberg and Ralf Schumacher, criticized Lewis Hamilton’s performance and George Russell’s excellence in the same race. He said his performance played a role in Hamilton’s bad results.
However, Toto Wolff did not participate in that opinion, arguing that Lewis Hamilton was “the best driver in the world” and that the cause of the poor performance was the car, not the driver.
“Well, I know how I have to protect him here. He’s not bad. The car’s performance is bad,” Toto Wolff said.
“We know he’s a seven-time world champion. He caught up last year. He and our team caught up and fought almost for the championship.”
“I’m the best driver in the world and I just don’t have the machines or equipment to perform. In a way, it doesn’t matter if I’m in 8th, 12th or 15th place. That’s not the problem. Everything is bad. But the real thing. The star will recover. “
“The really great drivers that come to my mind aren’t the ones who didn’t have the moment when things didn’t go right in their careers. That’s the case for him now for the first time in a while.”
“He’s helping the team solve things. We’re working hard together in good times and bad times. Today (Imola) was certainly a very bad day.”
Category: Category: F1 / Mercedes / Lewis Hamilton / George Russell