Hamilton teaches Russell a lesson at Mercedes: 'That's...'

Hamilton teaches Russell a lesson at Mercedes: ‘That’s…’ read more

George Russell Reflects on Lessons Learned from Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes

When George Russell signed with Mercedes, he likely anticipated a wealth of success—numerous podium finishes, pole positions, race victories, and perhaps even a World Championship challenge against his legendary teammate, Lewis Hamilton. However, the reality has been different. While Russell hasn’t yet achieved the heights he might have envisioned, his time alongside Hamilton has proven invaluable in terms of personal growth and development as a driver. Recently, the young Briton revealed one particular area where Hamilton’s influence has been pivotal in his progress.

During his stint at Williams, Russell earned the nickname ‘Mr. Saturday,’ thanks to an extraordinary streak of impressive qualifying performances. Whether it was outperforming his teammate or pulling off stunning laps, Russell consistently demonstrated his prowess on Saturdays. When he made the jump to Mercedes, that reputation followed him, and despite the formidable competition from Hamilton, Russell has often been able to match or even surpass the seven-time World Champion in qualifying sessions. Over the course of the 59 Grands Prix they’ve contested as teammates, their head-to-head battles have been closely contested, with Russell currently holding the edge in 2024.

Reflecting on his season so far, Russell noted that his qualifying performances have become one of his key strengths. “I think qualifying this year has definitely been a real strength of mine,” Russell explained. “I feel that I’ve been driving faster than ever. And I think a lot of that’s down to being in a really great place psychologically. I’ve worked a lot on making sure that when I arrive into Q3, I know how to handle all of that pressure. And I think that’s been great.”

While Russell’s qualifying form has been a highlight, his time at Mercedes has also given him the opportunity to develop other aspects of his driving. He acknowledged that working alongside Hamilton, who is widely regarded as one of the best drivers in the sport’s history, has been a major learning experience. “I still think I want to improve a little bit with my tire management,” Russell admitted. “But obviously, Belgium was pretty good. I’ve learned a huge amount about tire management by having Lewis as my teammate. He’s always been the very best in race pace and getting the most out of the tires. So, it’s just about picking up on the very small details that make the difference.”

Russell’s admiration for Hamilton’s ability to manage tires and maintain strong race pace is telling. Over nearly three full seasons as teammates, Russell has seen firsthand the meticulous approach Hamilton takes to extracting the most from his car and tires during a race. It’s this kind of detailed, race-specific knowledge that has helped Russell evolve into a more rounded driver, capable of competing at the highest level.

However, as the 2024 season progresses, time is running out for the Russell-Hamilton partnership. With only nine Grands Prix weekends left as teammates, the pair will soon go their separate ways. Hamilton, now 39 years old, will embark on a new chapter of his career with Ferrari in 2025, leaving Mercedes after an illustrious stint that saw him win multiple World Championships. For Russell, this change represents a new challenge as he looks ahead to the future without the guidance of his veteran teammate.

While Mercedes has yet to officially announce Russell’s future partner, all signs point to rising star Andrea Kimi Antonelli stepping into the vacant seat. Antonelli, an Italian prodigy, will be eager to absorb as much knowledge as possible from Russell, particularly during his stint behind the wheel in Italy for Free Practice 1. This weekend will offer Antonelli a chance to impress the Mercedes hierarchy and prepare for the full-time opportunity that likely awaits him in 2025.

As Russell prepares for the final races alongside Hamilton, he continues to build on the lessons he’s learned, particularly in qualifying and tire management. With his sights set on the future, Russell will look to establish himself as the team leader and help guide the next generation of Mercedes talent, just as Hamilton has done for him.