It is official! George Russell will be a Mercedes driver for the 2022 season. After endless months of speculation, the German team went with the young Brit over Bottas. Russell will partner 7-time world champion Lewis Hamilton from the next season. But former Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg believes Russell might face early hurdles in his Mercedes career.
The 2016 world champion mentioned although the Williams driver will have nothing to lose against Hamilton. He might take a few races to adjust to his new car on the track.
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Former Mercedes driver points out the early dilemma for Russell in Mercedes
As reported by planetf1, Rosberg stated George might face some early dilemma while going wheel-to-wheel against Lewis Hamilton. But he mentioned despite the dilemma, Russell has to battle the 7-time world champion on the track.
“The challenge for George is also in that first wheel-to-wheel battle. Does he yield or does he stick in there?” said Rosberg.
“That’s so difficult because if he sticks in there and [a collision] is entirely his fault, that would be a disastrous start to his time at Mercedes.
But if he sticks in there and it’s not his fault and more Lewis’ fault, it would be a giant boost for the confidence and to really calm Lewis, so it’s such a difficult one to manage.” said the former World Champion.
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He has nothing to lose and everything to gain against Lewis Hamilton: Nico Rosberg
Rosberg confessed that signing George to partner Lewis for the next season is the right call for Mercedes. He mentioned that this is nothing to lose scenario for the young Brit going against arguably the greatest of all time.
“The positive [for Russell] is he has nothing to lose and everything to gain because you’re up against the best of all time,” stated the German.
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“Nobody expects you to destroy him, but if you manage to, you’ll be the absolute biggest hero of all time. That’s what makes it so difficult for Lewis because he’s got this young gun who’s never won anything coming in, so Lewis can only lose, actually.
He’s the greatest, and imagine this young gun starts to beat him… that’s a really uncomfortable situation to be in.” concluded Nico.
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Russell will hope to outperform Hamilton in his first season at the team to stamp his authority in the team.
Can Russell beat Hamilton in 2022? Let us know.