Former F1 team manager claims that George Russell’s superior speeds ‘eats into’ Lewis Hamilton’s ‘self-confidence’

Peter Windsor, former Williams manager, claimed that George Russell’s pace adversely affects his older compatriot Lewis Hamilton.

Former F1 team manager claims that George Russell’s superior speeds ‘eats into’ Lewis Hamilton’s ‘self-confidence’

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell (Via imago)

Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes, often termed the ‘dream team’, together amassed a total of 6 World Championships between 2013 and 2020. The team and the driver duo wrote a new chapter of domination in the ‘Hybrid Era’ of Formula 1. However, the Silver Arrows and the Briton haven’t had the easiest of decades post-2020. Mercedes have only been able to win a singular race since the end of the 2021 season and Hamilton remains winless since the fated season as well. The singular win belongs to the Briton’s younger teammate George Russell.

As Mercedes’ struggles to get back to winning ways continue, multiple fingers are being pointed at Hamilton’s racecraft and his ability to climb his way back to the top. One such finger pointed at the Briton accompanies a voice. This voice is of a Former team manager, Peter Windsor, who claims that the presence of George Russell in the Mercedes garage might be making things harder for Hamilton. During Hamilton’s era of dominance, Valtteri Bottas and Nico Rosberg were his teammates. Hamilton was supposedly at ease the most when partnered up with Bottas.

YouTube video

Windsor claims that Russell is proving to be a far more formidable teammate to beat than Bottas for Hamilton. He said [according to Peter Windsor’s Youtube channel], 

FS Video

George is a quicker driver than Valtteri, absolutely no doubt about that – but in terms of getting the best from Lewis, would we have a different Lewis if Valtteri was in the other car? That’s an unanswered question, of course. My opinion is yes and I think the minute George starts to go quicker than Lewis, you can see it eating into Lewis’s self-confidence and doubt.
Windsor said on his YouTube channel.

Former Grand Prix winner points his finger at Mercedes for failing Lewis Hamilton

Johnny Herbert recently commented on Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes’ struggles throughout the 2023 season. Three-time Grand Prix winner directed his criticism over Hamilton’s worst winless streak in his career at the driver’s team. Herbert claimed that Mercedes’ inability to deliver Hamilton a ‘race-winning car’ is a failure on the team’s part. He further pointed out that the team had promised, at the end of last season, to deliver a ‘race-winning’ car at Hamilton’s disposal.

Lewis Hamilton (via imago)
Lewis Hamilton (via imago)

Herbert’s claim highlights Mercedes’ quote at the end of last season.

I do remember them saying at the end of last year, they promised that they would have a better car, and they didn't do that, It's [Mercedes’ car - W14] shown glimpses of it, but it's just glimpses

The former racer concluded talking about Hamilton’s contract extension with Mercedes. Herbert claimed the seven-time World Champion’s decision to be understandable. The racer further pointed out how Hamilton was able to turn the tides over against his younger teammate, George Russell, as the older Briton managed to beat Russell after conceding on points to him in 2022.