Relationship with Lewis Hamilton, advice to Mick Schumacher… George Russell opens up about the upcoming season

If 2022 hasn’t really been Mercedes’ season. Their new recruit, George Russell, nevertheless delivered impressive battles, allowing him to be on par with his teammate Lewis Hamilton.

In a lengthy interview for the German media outlet Auto Motor und Sport, the young driver expresses himself on various subjects.

His advice to Mick Schumacher

“After two seasons with Haas, Mick Schumacher was dropped by the American team, before Mercedes offered him a second chance as a reserve driver. George Russell believes that the young German driver needs to prove himself if he wants to regain a titular position one day. If I were in Mick’s shoes, I would work super hard in the simulator, here in Brackley, and I would do everything to integrate well into the team,” he said.

His relationship with Lewis Hamilton

The understanding between the two main drivers is rather excellent. According to Russell, team cohesion is fundamental. « Lewis and I, it worked because we know that we are moving the team forward together rather than against each other. Before, when there were issues within the driver pairs, it may have been because the age difference was smaller and we were fighting for supremacy within the team. That’s not the case with us ».

“If the good relationship with Lewis were to break, it would be futile for the team and it would harm us in the long run,” he adds.

A word about the W14

Finally, George Russell briefly spoke about his new car for the 2023 season. We know that we are building a car that will be faster than last year’s. I am also certain that we will improve compared to last year. But we don’t know what everyone else has done. And that is the problem. It’s a relative game.

The opponents are named, among others, Red Bull and Ferrari. With this car, the British driver hopes to bring Mercedes back to the top of the championship.