“Rosberg vs. Hamilton 2.0”– Fans foresee a brewing toxic rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and George Russell post-Qatar GP crash
George Russell and Lewis Hamilton have their contract locked with Mercedes until the end of 2025.
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Lewis Hamilton and George Russell (Credits: Imago)
In their two-year partnership, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, initially fostering camaraderie, faced a recent setback at the Qatar GP. A collision at the start forced Hamilton’s retirement and Russell to the rear, fueling speculation about their future. The incident sparked a social media storm, with fans divided over a bold claim that both drivers would be titleless as teammates due to Russell’s perceived ego.
Back in 2022, George Russell outpaced Hamilton as the latter fine-tuned setups for the struggling W13. This season, a drastic shift occurred. Hamilton, significantly faster and leading in standings, propelled Mercedes towards the coveted second spot. The team faces a fierce challenge from Ferrari. The contrasting performances of the duo in successive seasons have heightened scrutiny over their partnership’s viability.
Amidst this, a particular fan on X made a bold claim saying, ‘”Neither Lewis Hamilton or George Russell will win a championship if they continue to be teammates.” He believes “Lewis will be faster and George’s ego will ensure he’ll take points off Lewis at any opportunity, regardless of his position in the championship.” This tweet has stirred the debate that saw the F1 fandom pick two different sides.
Advocates for a clear hierarchy within Mercedes argued that Hamilton, as the de facto number one driver, necessitates Russell playing second fiddle. Some even proposed the return of Valtteri Bottas to recreate the team’s past success. They made a preposterous claim that since Hamilton is contesting for the 2nd spot in the WDC, the 25-year-old must support his teammates’ claim.
Fans back George Russell that he is the faster driver and never had the so-called ‘ego’
Russell’s supporters vehemently contested the notion of his ego jeopardizing Hamilton’s title chances. Citing Russell’s faster qualifying performances, they argued for a reversal of roles. Russell’s humility was highlighted, with one fan referencing his willingness to sacrifice his race in the 2021 Hungarian GP for Williams teammate Nicholas Latifi, showcasing a team-first mentality and debunking claims of a divisive ego. They argued that drivers prioritize personal success, not endorsing their teammate’s vice-champion aspirations
Neutral observers foresaw parallels between the current Mercedes duo and the infamous Hamilton-Rosberg rivalry. Anticipating a potential resurgence of tension, some dubbed it “Rosberg vs. Hamilton 2.0.” The comparison harkens back to a bitter and toxic rivalry that culminated in Nico Rosberg‘s retirement after clinching his maiden title in 2016. The neutrals speculated whether history would repeat itself in the evolving Hamilton-Russell partnership after the Qatar GP.
As the tumult subsides, it’s evident that Mercedes requires a championship-caliber car before reshuffling their current duo. Presently, they must leverage the elite partnership to extract optimal performance from their lackluster vehicle. Despite assertions from both drivers and the team about a strong rapport, fan discourse suggests an impending upheaval within the Mercedes camp.
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Rohit Bhaskar
(727 Articles Published)