Formula 1 fans around the world have long anticipated this day. George Russell is now a confirmed Mercedes driver for the 2022-23 Formula 1 season. The never-ending question seems to be will George Russell overthrow Lewis Hamilton’s reign at Mercedes next season?
Flashes of brilliance
Russell’s journey has piqued the interest of many fans ever since his first season in F1. He showed flashes of brilliance and potential as he entered the Mercedes cockpit back in Sakhir 2020, where he was robbed of an excellent win — even showing his pace against the man he now replaces, Valtteri Bottas, whom he made a brilliant overtake on in the middle of the race.
Prior to this, he has also displayed excellence in F2 where he reigned supreme back in 2018 after a season-long battle with fellow Brit, Lando Norris.
Russell also showed his prowess in the Virtual Grand Prix Series that F1 Esports held prior to the F1 2020 season where he won all six races — though Williams unable to win the title altogether. This spoke volumes as each race featured equal-leveled cars, and he was joined by Charles Leclerc, Alex Albon, and other established drivers alike — this just showed the potential he had in the right car.
How our teams shake out at the end of our pre-season Virtual Grand Prix series 👇
Each team takes home a chunk of the $100K charity prize pot#VirtualGP 🎮 #F1 pic.twitter.com/9KjjbdKEwF
— Formula 1 (@F1) February 14, 2021
Sharing the Formula 1 Mercedes garage
How ever-exciting Russell’s potential is, and as polarizing a figure Sir Lewis Hamilton can be, one cannot deny his greatness and longevity in the most prestigious motorsport in the world. Fans of Michael Schumacher and haters of Hamilton alike fear the day he breaks Schumacher's withstanding record for most world drivers’ championships in Formula 1 history — though the German legend knew back in 2008 that records were meant to be broken and that it would be inevitable, even citing Lewis Hamilton as someone who could possibly do it.
That being said, with Russell being a fellow countryman of Hamilton, it is only natural for him to idolize the 7-time champion. A talking point that will be watched for in the coming season is the dynamic between the two soon-to-be teammates.
Becoming a fearless Formula 1 driver
Russell will have to take the battle to Hamilton week in, week out to stand a chance at competing with him. He will have to muster up the courage to make difficult decisions, even ones that could create some sort of competitive friction within the pit wall. Fans around the community have long missed the days that Hamilton’s teammate would take a fiery battle to him, and not merely sit back as a scapegoat that makes way for the champion’s success. However, Russell has made it known that he'll do his best to refrain from creating an unhealthy environment within Mercedes.
Via Matt Morlidge of Sky Sports F1:
“I think Mercedes have clear experience of poor dynamics in their team and they have made it clear they don't want that to happen again,” said Russell. “Personally I don't want that either.”
He adds, “I'm sure we will compete with each other and respect each other in the race but also be tight at the same time, as Lewis and Valtteri have done in the last five years.”
Nico Rosberg was the last teammate to man up to Hamilton, and in the 3 years that the two former best friends were teammates, fireworks were on display in the Mercedes garage as they constantly bickered every single race weekend. Rosberg and Hamilton still share a mutual respect for one another, though it is clear that the friendship will never be the same again. Needless to say, the environment that these two drivers created was toxic from the inside but very entertaining for non-Mercedes supporters on the outside
Rosberg throws P2 cap back at Hamilton – USGP 2015 from formula1
The road ahead
Hamilton will undoubtedly be a fierce competitor no matter who he pairs up with. The 7-time world champion is ready to take on the challenge that Russell brings, and even expresses that this will only further energize him and the team in continuing their reign in Formula 1.
Via James Galloway of Sky Sports F1:
“That definitely will energise the whole team knowing that they have a new youngster coming through who is super hungry, driven and he pushing the team forwards.” The world champion added: “I just know he's going to continue to get stronger, even in these next nine races [of 2021], and next year he'll be bringing the heat for sure.”
The Formula 1 community must keep in mind that the 2022 regulations are set to mix up the field. Mercedes will still be expected to make great strides as they’ve proven to be R&D giants through their dominant V6 Turbo-Hybrid era. Fans all over the world will have high hopes that Russell will impress in his first season as a Mercedes driver, and the fall of Lewis Hamilton is one to watch — but a tall task for the young Englishman guaranteed.
Follow Us
Subscribe