“At a Very Strong Level but…”: With a Mammoth Lead on the Champ, George Russell Reveals What It’s Actually Like Working With Lewis Hamilton

George Russell is that all-rounder kid of the class who just effortlessly proves his mettle. Russell outdrove his car to the limit in his 3 years at Williams. Yet, he knew that teaming up with the 7-time champion Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes won’t be a cakewalk.

Racing in his first season for the Silver Arrows, George Russell hit the road running. The first half of 2022 was a mega start for George as he beat Lewis Hamilton consistently.

Though as the season progressed, Hamilton matched up with his younger teammate. Talking to media, including the Race, Russell explained what it was like to be teammates with Lewis and compete with him over a season.

He said, “It was just quite interesting how everything sort of seemed to flow in my direction at the start of the year, then it was probably that mid-phase where sort of things probably flowed more in his [Lewis Hamilton’s] direction. Things sort of balanced out a little bit.”

The 24-year-old stated how he had to build rapport with Mercedes to improve in the mid-season. He further added, “That’s why I’m so happy having Lewis [Hamilon] as my team-mate because I feel like I’m at a really strong level, but he’s pushing me to be even better.”

Being a racer, Russell certainly isn’t going to be ever so friendly with his world-champion teammate. Nevertheless, he has shown a good maturity level to develop himself and at the same time, he has raced Lewis hard but fair.

Read More: George Russell Reveals How “Failure” Mentality Set Him up to Achieve the Impossible Against Mercedes F1 Legend Lewis Hamilton

George became the third driver to outscore Lewis in his career so far. He finished the season at a lead of 35 points over Hamilton. While Russell has still not fought Hamilton in a championship battle, we may get to see the same in 2023.

When Jenson Button beat Lewis Hamilton in 2011

In a season dominated by Sebastian Vettel and his RB7, the British duo of Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton had their own battle going on. As the season progressed, the McLaren drivers knew that they might not be winning the championship.

So they focused on their inter-team battle. Both drivers won 3 races over the 2011 season. Although it was Button who edged his teammate by clinching more podiums over the season. As eventual champion Vettel won 11 out of the 19 races, the McLaren drivers usually had to settle for the runners-up spots.

Button also held on in a chaotic, rain-marred race in Montreal while Hamilton retired. Jenson won the Canadian GP, despite being last at one point. Many regard that Grand Prix as the race of the decade and hail Button’s drive in the wet.

Finally, after the Brazilian GP finale, Button finished 2nd in the standings at 270 points with Hamilton a distant 5th with 227 points. While it did not matter much to Lewis as he anyway did not win the championship that season.

The dominance that the 7-time champion has carried over his teammates is incredible. To just lose 3 team battles in a 16-year career is no underachievement, even if Hamilton deems it so.

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While Russell has equated Button’s feat, he has an uphill task if he wishes to challenge Lewis for the championship. What do you think? Can George Russell challenge Lewis Hamilton for the world championship?