Mercedes starlet George Russell achieved his finest season outcome so far on the Spanish Grand Prix, securing a third-place end. He crossed the road simply behind teammate Lewis Hamilton, permitting the Silver Arrows to have fun their first double podium of the 12 months. However, the proceedings of the race weekend, together with these earlier than Spain, have plunged Mercedes’ group dynamic into doubt.
F1 pundit David Coulthard believes George Russell, regardless of his overflowing expertise, doesn’t but have what it takes to problem his seasoned teammate. Speaking to Chanel 4, he mentioned, “George has still got a little chink in his armor, that late movement in qualifying where they had contact, if you remember, he’s had some little drop-the-ball moments.”
He added, “He’s not the complete finished article yet. He’s pretty close. But Lewis Hamilton when he’s back, he’s back.” According to David Coulthard, Russell was at fault for the mishap the pair of Britons endured in qualifying, which hints at an absence of consistency.
Despite Mercedes’s challenges, Coulthard believes Lewis Hamilton will quickly regain his type. In a uncommon optimistic efficiency for the Silver Arrows, George Russell and Hamilton completed third and second on the Barcelona race. However, he asserts that younger George Russell isn’t the completed product he must be to problem his veteran counterpart.
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Tensions are rising within the Mercedes storage after consecutive race weekend incidents
George Russell has confronted criticism following a radio debacle involving his group in the course of the Monaco GP. He requested Mercedes to concern group orders, asking permission to overhaul Lewis Hamilton and contend for a podium place whereas going through stress from Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari behind him. This incident raised doubts in regards to the relationship dynamics between Russell and Hamilton.
Russell has been clear in his stance, stating that there isn’t a rift or battle for the primary place inside the group. Regarding group dynamics, the 25-year-old emphasizes their goal is to not have interaction in inside rivalry for the highest spot. Rather than competing in opposition to his teammate, Russell’s main focus is on successful races and attaining collective success with the group.
At the next race weekend in Spain, in the course of the closing moments of Q2, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell had been concerned in a collision that triggered injury to Hamilton’s automotive. The incident unfolded when the veteran, who was on a quick lap, tried to overhaul Russell. However, Russell didn’t depart adequate area and pushed Hamilton off the observe, damaging Hamilton’s entrance wing.
After the incident, Russell clarified that he was unaware of Lewis Hamilton’s presence behind him in the course of the collision. Mercedes, in flip, attributed the incident to a miscommunication between the drivers and their group. Mercedes can not afford an inside rivalry of their chase of dominant leaders, Red Bull, and the way their dynamics will unfold in Canada is but to be seen.