Ex-F1 champion urges Mercedes to give more confidence to George Russell

Damon Hill claimed that Mercedes needed to focus more on George Russell instead of the 26-year-old's teammate for next season.


Ex-F1 champion urges Mercedes to give more confidence to George Russell

George Russell and Toto Wolff (via IMAGO)

Former F1 world champion Damon Hill explained how Mercedes remains more focused on searching for a replacement of Lewis Hamilton, and why they must focus to support George Russell a bit more. Russell is believed to be the future team leader at the Silver Arrows.

The 63-year-old interpreted how George Russell was working hard on improving his performance each race. Damon Hill believes when Lewis Hamilton will move to Ferrari next year, Russell will establish himself as the top driver at the silver arrows. As such, the team must provide support and confidence to him. However, Mercedes attention seems to be more on Russell’s teammate next year rather than on the Briton himself.

Lewis will go to Ferrari next year, and George is trying to establish himself as a top driver – explained the 63-year-old after the Canadian GP – and I think he hasn't succeeded yet because they constantly talk about who will be his teammate next year, rather than George.
Damon Hill said on SkySportsF1 Podcast
YouTube video

Hill recommended that Mercedes should support Russell more and build his confidence to help him succeed in future races as a driver. This support will motivate Russell to perform better in each race and assist the team in scoring points, thereby maintaining strong competition in the constructors’ championship with others.

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I think Mercedes should support it a little ’ more, they should give it a little ’ more confidence.
Damon Hill added

Damon Hill claims George Russell ‘compensating things’ at Mercedes

For the first time since last year’s Hungarian GP, Mercedes managed to return to pole position because of George Russell’s stellar lap in Canada. Hill claimed that Russell shouldn’t have to push himself too hard to prove how good he is in races. Damon Hill reckoned Russell might be overcompensating a bit lately, instead he should take it easy and relax.

Maybe he won't have to try so hard to prove his worth in the race, because it seems to me that he is trying to compensate things a little. I think it should calm down.
Damon Hill said
George Russell and Lewis Hamilton
George Russell and Lewis Hamilton (via IMAGO)

Hill interpreted that, the 26-year-old is fast, skilled and smart enough when it comes to racing, Russell can surely perform his best. However, Mercedes must give him more comfort and support making him feel more confident and at ease.

He has the speed, the skills, he is very intelligent. I'm sure he can give his best if they give him a little ’ more comfort.
Damon Hill explained

Overall, The 63-year-old want young talents like George Russell to rise and make their name in the sport by receiving adequate support from their team. The fans of silver arrows were delighted after the Canadian GP results which helped the team earn twenty-eight points altogether of Russell and Hamilton both.

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