Mercedes F1 team principal Toto Wolff admits he expects future tensions between teammates Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.
Lewis Hamilton is currently in his 10th season with the Mercedes F1 team, while George Russell is enduring his first season as full-time driver for a team he has been involved with for many years as a junior driver.
The Mercedes F1 team has endured a difficult start to the 2022 season, falling behind the pace of Red Bull and Ferrari.
Mercedes F1 is still waiting for the first victory of the 2022 season, but in the previous round F1 Hungarian Grand Prix, George Russell won the team’s first pole position of the season.
Now both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell are working together to try to return the Mercedes F1 team to the front of the grid, but Toto Wolff says the rivalry between the two will increase as they become more competitive. I think it’s just
“I think George and Lewis’ biggest enemy was the car, not their teammates or other drivers,” said Wolff.
“And it was certainly an advantage in some respects. I have used it many times
“I can tell you if the respect between the two I see today will prove to be the dominant factor when the goal becomes racing and championships.”
“I think it’s normal to have some tension when you’re playing in the best interest, but if people basically respect and respect each other, there’s never too much tension.”
Lewis Hamilton enjoyed a near-tension-free partnership with former teammate Valtteri Bottas, who raced for the Mercedes F1 team from 2017 to 2021.
But before Valtteri Bottas’ stint, Lewis Hamilton endured a bitter rivalry with Nico Rosberg and is in contention for the drivers’ championship for the third straight season.
Category: F1 / mercedes / Lewis Hamilton / George Russell