George Russell regards racing and being compared to Lewis Hamilton as a ‘privilege’

George Russell and Lewis Hamilton are set to be teammates until the end of 2025.

George Russell regards racing and being compared to Lewis Hamilton as a ‘privilege’

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell (Via IMAGO)

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George Russell is now embarking on his second year with the Mercedes squad, having claimed the team’s sole victory in nearly two years. Joining the German outfit last season, he partnered with the seven-time world champion, Lewis Hamilton. Since then, Russell has consistently been measured against Hamilton, a challenge he considers a privilege.

Marking his 100th race, Russell shared his journey on F1’s Beyond the Grid podcast. Reflecting on joining Mercedes from Williams in 2022, he recognized a team shift. Mercedes, previously securing eight consecutive constructors’ championships, has since clinched only one victory – Russell’s triumph at the 2022 Sao Paulo Grand Prix. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDdByA_nF1I

Russell deems his Brazil triumph the pinnacle of his racing career, crediting collective efforts for its uniqueness. He singles out the race’s intensity, notably Hamilton’s relentless pursuit in the final 15 laps. Russell acknowledges Hamilton as the “greatest driver of all time.” He relishes being compared to him every weekend, saying, “Having that sort of fair fight was extraordinarily rewarding for me and why it is an incredibly satisfying position to be in and such a privileged position to be in.” 

The 25-year-old believes not many drivers are fortunate with such opportunities. Acknowledging the competitive nature of the sport, Russell asserts with confidence that there are five drivers, including Lewis, capable of winning the World Championship with the best car. “And if I am going head-to-head with him week in, week out, you know that gives me the benchmark,” the Briton said. 

Discover: Lewis Hamilton brands his relationship with F1 a ‘love-hate story’

George Russell acknowledges he has never had a stronger teammate than Lewis Hamilton

Before his odyssey with Mercedes began, Russell’s racing journey with Williams lacked true team competition. His dominance over Nicholas Latifi and partnership with the retired Robert Kubica left him miles ahead. Teaming up with Hamilton at Mercedes marked a significant shift, and he credits this new challenge for pushing his boundaries. 

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell (Credits: Planet F1)

Reflecting on the past year and a half, Russell acknowledges the challenges he has faced alongside Hamilton. He notes, “I have never been pushed my whole career like I have been pushed in this last year and a half.” He added, “To see that I am swimming well gives me so much faith and confidence.” 

George expresses a newfound certainty in his self-belief and the team’s confidence. He attributes this to “really down to the fact that I am teammates with Lewis and held my own.” Lewis is currently in third position in the standings, whereas George is in eighth, sharing equal points with Lando Norris. As the Qatar GP draws close, it will be interesting to see how the two teammates fare.

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