Lewis Hamilton comments mean George Russell fireworks likely in F1 title battle

13 January 2023 , 16:59

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Lewis Hamilton and George Russell got along well last year (Image: Getty Images)

Lewis Hamilton has already admitted that things could get tense between himself and George Russell if they are both in with a chance of the Formula 1 title this year.

The two Brits worked well together last year, their first as Mercedes team-mate. But neither of them were in the hunt for the championship and spent much of the year simply hoovering up as many points as they could in a less competitive car than they would have liked.

Mercedes will hope to be back fighting at the front again this year. If Hamilton and Russell to have cars capable of achieving that, then perhaps there relationship between them might change.

Hamilton admitted last year that it is a possibility. "If he finishes ahead of me in the world championship this year, I won't mind. We're going for fifth and sixth places," the seven-time champion said in October. "It would be a different story if it was a matter of first and second place."

Russell did finish ahead of his more experienced team-mate, managing fourth in the drivers' standings with 35 points more. Hamilton took that on the chin but, if those comments are anything to go by, he may not be so content with losing to his team-mate again this year.

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"Nine times out of 10 if you finish ahead of Lewis Hamilton, you're probably going to be world champion," said Russell of his achievements last year. "We've all had our own difficulties. I've no doubt that he's going to be probably back to his normal level next year."

Hamilton feels things could change between himself and Russell in a title battle (Getty Images)

Jacques Villeneuve, 1997 drivers' champion, agrees that things are likely to be tougher for Russell this time around. "Next year I expect a lot from Lewis Hamilton, we are going to see the best Lewis yet," declared the Canadian at the end of last season.

But another former champion, Mika Hakkinen, believes the younger Brit can come out on top again. "If he can keep with that experience what he has in Mercedes, and experience what he has in Formula 1 in general, he can keep Lewis behind," the Finn told Top Gear.

"It's really impressive, because Lewis is incredible. Incredible personality, incredible driver. So if George can go for it, then I think England can look like: 'Wow, what a driver we have.'"

Daniel Moxon