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George Russell Suggests He Could Have Taken Two Titles from Lewis Hamilton During Mercedes’ Dominant Era
George Russell has made a bold statement regarding the legacy of his Mercedes teammate, Lewis Hamilton, suggesting that the seven-time world champion might not have secured all his titles if Russell had been racing alongside him during Mercedes’ dominant hybrid era. Speaking with The Athletic, Russell implied that had he been part of the Silver Arrows team during their peak years, he might have claimed at least two world championships for himself.
Lewis Hamilton, now 40, established his legacy as one of the greatest drivers in Formula 1 history through a dominant period between 2014 and 2021. In that time, Hamilton won six of his seven world titles, capitalizing on Mercedes’ superior machinery and consistently outperforming his competitors. This era firmly placed him in the pantheon of F1 legends. However, Russell, who joined Mercedes in 2022, believes that his presence in the team earlier might have changed the outcome of several championship battles.
“Everybody is in Lewis’ shadow,” Russell admitted in the interview, highlighting the immense challenge of being teammates with a driver of Hamilton’s caliber. “Being teammates with a seven-time world champion for three years is not straightforward.” While respectful of Hamilton’s achievements, Russell’s comments carry an undertone of competitive confidence. He seems to believe that his own abilities, had they been showcased during Mercedes’ prime years, could have disrupted Hamilton’s reign at the top.
Russell’s comments have sparked discussions among fans and pundits alike. Many acknowledge that while Mercedes’ dominance gave Hamilton an edge, his consistency, racecraft, and mental strength also played a crucial role in his success. On the other hand, Russell’s rapid adaptation to the team and his 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix win have shown he has the talent to challenge top-tier drivers.
Although the two Brits are now teammates, there has been growing speculation about how long the harmony between them will last, especially as Russell grows more assertive in the team. With Hamilton set to move to Ferrari in 2025, Russell will likely take on the role of Mercedes’ lead driver—a position he clearly believes he was capable of holding even during the team’s golden years.
This latest revelation adds a new layer to the intra-team dynamics at Mercedes and offers an intriguing “what if” scenario for F1 historians and fans to debate.
