Russell expects Hamilton to rebound in style
Tuesday, 3 May 2022
Mercedes is determined to provide its drivers with cars they can compete with.
Despite out-driving his famous Mercedes team-mate early in the season, George Russell has nothing but praise for seven-time Formula 1® world champion Lewis Hamilton.
Hamilton, 37, got off to a solid start in Bahrain after qualifying fifth and sneaking onto the podium when both Red Bull cars were retired, but his fourth-place finish in Australia is sandwiched by crossing the line 10th in Saudi Arabia and a disappointing 13th in Imola.
Meanwhile, Russell has finished no worse than fifth in any race, despite having a best starting position of sixth, both in Australia and Saudi Arabia.
It means Russell occupies fourth position in the driver standings, just 10 points away from Max Verstappen in second, while Hamilton is back in seventh.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Russell said he has no doubts about the "inspiring" Hamilton's quality and his likelihood of returning to form.
"Lewis has clearly got the pace," he said. "He's incredibly fast, and he's showed that so far this year, but it's just been tricky for us as a team to get it done when the time is needed.
"When things have been more stable, Lewis has still been massively fast.
"I know there was a bit of a blip last weekend, but I have no doubt he's going to come back, and the way he's pushing the team and motivating the team is truly inspiring.
"We all want more. He wants more. Nobody is happy with the position we're in currently."
While Russell acknowledged that some of the team's problems have been out of the drivers' hands, he said they are issues he is also having to combat, and that his time at Williams has prepared him to make the most out of difficult situations.
"We are equally struggling," he said. "When the car is so far out of bed and it's not in the right window, it doesn't really feel like a proper racing car to drive.
"Perhaps with my struggles at Williams, with very difficult cars, maybe that's helped in some small regard.
"But Lewis will come back stronger, I have no doubt. He's definitely going to be pushing me all the way.
"I'm not getting comfortable in this position because I know what he's capable of."
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff commended his young star, and stressed his team is determined to provide their drivers with cars they can compete with.
"I'm very impressed with how [Russell has] settled in," he said. "How professionally and analytically he is helps us to assess the situation.
"The combination [of Russell and Hamilton], that's one of the very few highlights I have at the moment on our journey – the two of them work together with no friction. On the contrary, it is very, very productive and positive for the team and I couldn't be happier with the driver line-up.
"We have two of maybe the three best drivers, and they deserve a car and a power unit that makes them fight in the front rather than being lapped. That's not what any of them deserves."
P11 ➡️ P6
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) April 30, 2022
Onboard for that flying start from George at the #ImolaGP 🚀pic.twitter.com/Jg4yarEuu2
