Coulthard Explains What Weapons Russell Needs as He Can’t Match Hamilton on ‘Pure Speed’

George Russell and his potential move to Mercedes next season have been a topic of speculation for months now. The young brit is heavily rumored to be joining the Silver Arrows to replace Valtteri Bottas.

The 23-year-old, who is in the last year of his contract with Williams, is yet to score his first point for the Wantage-Based team. He came agonizingly close to a P10 in Austria last race weekend, but the Briton was overtaken by the two-time champion, Fernando Alonso, in the dying moments of the race.

Many believe that Russell has what it takes to beat Hamilton, provided he has a competitive car. However, former F1 driver, David Coulthard, believes the Williams driver needs passion and hunger as he cannot beat Hamilton on pure speed.

In fact, the W Series advisory chairman thinks the young Brit can push Hamilton the same way as Verstappen has done this season.

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What did David Coulthard say?

“He’s not going to beat Lewis with pure speed, Lewis is one of if not the fastest drivers of the last decade, George I believe has the talent to match that speed,” said Coulthard.

” He’s going to beat him with that passion, that hunger, that ‘you might be Lewis Hamilton but when we go on track, I don’t care who you are’. Which is exactly what Max Verstappen delivers when he’s in the race car.”

George Russell to be named Mercedes driver soon: Coulthard

David Coulthard believes George Russell’s move to Mercedes is a matter of ‘when’ rather than ‘if.’ To support his argument, he highlighted the 23-year-old’s display of talent when he replaced Lewis Hamilton at the Sakhir GP 2020 after the latter tested positive for coronavirus.

“I think George Russell is the real deal. I don’t know this for sure but it seems just a matter of time for George Russell getting announced as a Mercedes driver,” said David Coulthard.

“He’s a coming talent, he showed what he could do when he was in the car in Bahrain. No disrespect to Valtteri who is a very good racing driver and is a grand prix winner, but sport is about momentum,” added the former British driver.

Russell looked poised to win the Sakhir GP 2020 until he got involved in a botched pit stop. The young Brit finished the race at P9, earning his first points in F1 – two for the ninth place and one for the fastest lap.

Valtteri Bottas has been under fire in recent weeks as he is failing to contribute to Mercedes’ charge for the championship this season. And Russell, who is part of Silver Arrows’ junior driver program is the favorite to replace the Finn at Mercedes next season.

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Can we witness George Russell teaming up with Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in 2022? Let us know in the comments section below.