George Russell Claims He Could Have Beaten Lewis Hamilton….Read More
George Russell has made a bold statement regarding Lewis Hamilton’s legacy at Mercedes, suggesting that he could have taken away at least two of Hamilton’s Formula 1 world championships had they been teammates during Mercedes’ dominant hybrid era. Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, secured six of those titles between 2014 and 2021 as he led Mercedes through one of the most successful periods in the sport’s history. However, Russell believes that if he had joined the team earlier, the outcome might have been different.
In an interview with The Athletic, Russell opened up about the challenge of being teammates with Hamilton, acknowledging the significant presence and pressure that comes with being alongside such a decorated driver. “Everybody is in Lewis’ shadow. Being teammates with a seven-time world champion for three years is not straightforward,” Russell stated. He added that in the past, finishing ahead of Hamilton in a race or championship almost guaranteed victory, underscoring Hamilton’s dominance during those years.
Russell joined Mercedes in 2022 and has since shown impressive growth and consistency. By the end of the 2024 season, he had outperformed Hamilton in qualifying 19 times and finished ahead of him in the overall standings, marking a notable achievement in Hamilton’s final year with the team. This performance has continued into the 2025 season, with Russell remaining a strong contender in the championship battle, even though Mercedes is currently struggling to match the pace of frontrunners like McLaren.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has praised Russell for his maturity and steady progress. Russell, meanwhile, remains focused on his development and insists that Hamilton’s departure hasn’t drastically changed the internal operations of the team. “I’m just going about my business, as I have been the last couple of years,” he explained. “I’m working with the same group of engineers, the same group of mechanics. Obviously, Lewis was such a large presence that you know when he’s not around.”
Despite the shifting team dynamics, Russell is determined to forge his own legacy in the sport. “I want to control my own destiny first and foremost,” he stated, emphasizing his commitment to achieving championship success on his own terms.
With the 2025 season still unfolding, Russell’s confidence and performance have reignited the debate about how different the past might have been had he partnered Hamilton earlier in his career. While the speculation may never be settled definitively, Russell’s current form suggests he could soon realize his goal of becoming Formula 1 world champion.
