George Russell reflects on the evolution of his relationship with Lewis Hamilton
George Russell reflects on his relationship with Lewis Hamilton now that they are no longer F1 teammates.

George Russell opened up about his relationship with Lewis Hamilton, now that the two drivers no longer share the same garage in Formula 1.
« Our relationship is even stronger »
George Russell joined Mercedes alongside Lewis Hamilton in 2022 after his promotion from Williams, and the two Britons remained teammates until the seven-time world champion’s decision to join Ferrari for 2025.
Despite the end of their direct collaboration, George Russell explained that their bond is stronger than ever, revealing that they sometimes even travel together to attend the Grand Prix.
« If anything has changed, it’s that our relationship is even stronger. We sometimes travel together, and even off the track, we talk more often », he confided to MotorsportTotal.com.
« We simply have a good relationship. I really enjoy spending time with Lewis. Of course, he is extremely exposed, much more than any of us — and sometimes, he puts up a sort of shield around himself », he explains.
« But in a smaller circle, he’s someone I get along with very well. It’s nice to have someone like him around. I even ask him for advice from time to time, as he is at a completely different phase of his career. »
George Russell on having beaten Lewis Hamilton
During their three seasons together at Mercedes, George Russell finished ahead of Lewis Hamilton in the championship in 2022 and 2024, while regularly outqualifying him, as his senior is now 40 years old.
Interviewed about what it said about him to have beaten Lewis Hamilton, he replied: « I let others judge. I drive, race after race. I’ve always said I wasn’t afraid to be anyone’s teammate. At the end of 2021, Lewis was considered the man to beat. No one thought a teammate could beat him at Mercedes. I arrived and performed well from the first race. I’ve always believed in myself. »
The reputation he had at the time is the same as Max [Verstappen]’s today. No one thinks Max can be beaten. And it was the same for Lewis back then. We forget that Lewis entered F1 as a rookie — and he stood on the podium in his first six (nine) races, with a double world champion as a teammate. That says a lot, he concludes.