Let’s be clear, George Russell is an existential threat to Lewis Hamilton. Russell is widely regarded as the next generation, a racer who has the speed, ability, and aptitude to beat Lewis Hamilton in the same car. Anglo Saxon Briton has forcibly cheered on Lewis Hamilton because of a lack of top-class white British F1 drivers. The arrival of Russell (and Lando Norris) means it’s finally a return to normality for Anglo-Saxon Britain. Even Jeremy Clarkson is beginning to loosen the belt of prejudice, making snipping comments towards Hamilton on his Twitter account. Russell has been languishing at the back of the grid in his Williams with distinction. He has out-driven the car given to him and put in performances that would make a billy goat puke. When he deputized for a Covid-19 stricken Hamilton in 2020 for one race, he outdrove Bottas in a car that did not fit him and came close to winning the Sakhir Grand Prix had it not been for a pitstop error. Russell’s journey to the Mercedes squad has been a persistent rumor for the last two years. And his qualifying performance at the Belgian Grand Prix that never was has probably put an end to Valtteri Bottas’ time at Mercedes.
During the qualifying session, Russell planted his Williams second on the grid in wet conditions in a Williams that is often propping up the back of the midfield. The Spa Francorchamps racetrack is the best on the Grand Prix circuit, it is a pure drivers track. As the media gets over-excited about Russell, because they have something new to speculate about, Hamilton hasn’t much mentioned Russell. Indeed, during endless media speculation, Hamilton has often drummed a beat for retaining Valtteri Bottas, without ever mentioning Russell by name. That in and of itself reveals Hamilton’s inner thought process. He may well see Russell, not as a threat, more of an inconvenience to his championship aspirations.
While Hamilton has maybe three years left on his career timetable, he will not want a repeat of the Rosberg era. Then again, Hamilton has never backed away from a fight and relishes any challenge put before him. Competing is in his DNA and part of the reason why he is a 7-time F1 champion. Hamilton has realized Mercedes is intent to close the door on Bottas and leave it open for Russell. He has finally acknowledged George Russell’s existence. During a media interview he said;
Lewis Hamilton:
“I’m in a different place in my life. I’m excited to see the youngsters coming through – it’s not that I want to lose to a youngster, naturally, but I am excited to see the progression of the sport. I am a fan of the sport at the end of the day.”
“I honestly think he’ll be good. I think George is an incredibly talented driver, clearly. I would say probably the only highlight from last week was his qualifying lap, it was amazing.”
“I think he’s (George Russell) humble, I think he’s got a great approach. Naturally being British I would imagine probably helps in terms of communication.”
“At the moment naturally I have to be super-supportive of the teammate I have right now so that’s why I’m always supportive of Valtteri because we have a job to do right now. Neither of us can win the team championship alone, we have to do it collectively.”
“At the moment naturally I have to be super-supportive of the teammate I have right now so that’s why I’m always supportive of Valtteri because we have a job to do right now. Neither of us can win the team championship alone, we have to do it collectively.”
“I think he’s one of the members of the future of the sport. I think he’s already showing incredible driving so far and I’m sure he’s going to continue to grow so where better to do it than in a great team like this or what team he goes to.”
“I think he’s one of the members of the future of the sport. I think he’s already showing incredible driving so far and I’m sure he’s going to continue to grow so where better to do it than in a great team like this or what team he goes to.”
