Hamilton puts Russell under immense pressure as Mercedes stars set for showdown

29 January 2024 , 20:24

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Lewis Hamilton and George Russell are about to begin their third season together at Mercedes (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Lewis Hamilton proved last year that Mercedes is still "his team" after outshining George Russell.

That's the view of former Formula 1 world champion Mika Hakkinen. The Finn was assessing the team's current situations after two seasons of Red Bull dominance which has left Hamilton winless during that time.

Mercedes have won just one race in total over those two years, when Russell took victory at the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix. It was a result which helped him to finish 35 points ahead of his team-mate in their first season together.

But, last year, Hamilton was the one able to get the most out of his car while Russell struggled. Speaking to Bild, Hakkinen felt it was a statement of intent from the 39-year-old who was showing his team-mate that he remains top dog at Mercedes.

"Even though George is entering his third season as a Mercedes driver, it is clear that it is Lewis' team," the former McLaren racer said. "He has been driving there since 2013 and has worked with many of the engineers and mechanics for years. It doesn't take 10 minutes of analysis from him to explain the problem. Little things like these ultimately decide in Formula 1 whether you are in pole position or not."

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When it was pointed out to him that Russell had beaten Hamilton in their first season together, the Finn replied: "That's correct. But last season Hamilton finished third and Russell only eighth. That didn't surprise me.

"On the one hand, Lewis wanted to show it to everyone after the Twilight of the Gods had already been talked about and, on the other hand, George was and continues to be under immense pressure.

"When you're the team-mate of a seven-time world champion, all eyes are automatically on you. It doesn't matter if you finished on the podium if your teammate won. It's the same with all teams - but George is racing against a record champion."

Hakkinen also had some advice for the team, telling staff to use the pain inflicted upon them by Red Bull over the last couple of years as motivation to get back to fighting at the front. He added: "Mercedes is at a crossroads. There has not been a question mark over the team for a long time.

"After a decade full of success, the past two seasons have left their mark on those responsible and employees. And that's good! You have to be angry now. Now you have to develop this unconditional will to win again. The team has to become a team again, develop this blind understanding. That is currently missing."

Daniel Moxon