Lewis Hamilton dismisses speculation that George Russell's increasing confidence at Mercedes could lead to friction within the team.

Coming off the back of a weekend in which Lance Stroll sought to nudge teammate Sebastian Vettel into the boondocks, Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon played silly buggers (again), Charles Leclerc called on Carlos Sainz to give up a podium finish and Max Verstappen was... well, Max Verstappen, one has to wonder whether George Russell's increasing confidence might lead to similar 'unrest' at Mercedes.

Currently leading his renowned teammate by 25 points, Russell has scored Mercedes only win of the season and its only pole.

Though none are doubting Hamilton's competitiveness, with Russell's obvious determination to establish himself, one cannot help but feel the impending cry of 'the King is dead, long live the King!', after all it appears to already be happening at Sky Sports.

Not so, insists the seven-time world champion.

"I'm a lot older and I've been with the team so long," says the Briton. "So managing whatever challenges we come up with moving forward, we've been through so much that I don't think it's going to be a problem."

A long-time member of the Mercedes operation, Hamilton was never in any doubt of Russell's talent.

"I've seen what he did at Williams," he says. "I think naturally you have to say it's impressive what he's done this year, the consistency he's had, how he's arrived and just hit the ground running.

"It's not like he arrived in a completely brand new team," he adds. "The previous couple of years he was sitting right behind me watching the work that I was doing with the engineers, with Ricky who, who is now his number one.

"It's been super easy to blend in. He uses my steering wheel, and he's obviously got to do the test days prior to the year, so I think he's just blended in perfectly and he's been a positive force in the team.

"He's helped keep the equilibrium in the team, in terms of the working relationship I think it's strong."

They are both alpha drivers and this is good," adds Toto Wolff. "We don't want a puppy in the car. We manage that as well as we can."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Spindoctor, 17/11/2022 11:35

"These comments are naturally predicated on Mercedes being much more competitive in 2023.

Mercedes has the two fastest drivers on the grid. From their point of view this is perfect. Russell is already a very mature & intelligent driver and can only improve as he gains experience at (hopefully) the front of the grid.
Hamilton is most likely to be on the receiving end of Verstappen's aggressive tactics, leaving George free to win races. Lewis must inevitably start to fade at some point (no real signs of that yet) and Mercedes will have their new Champion in Russell.

Compare & contrast with RBR where there is now something approaching open warfare between its drivers. Their favoured son is again demonstrating his mental fragility, unnecessary aggression & lack of maturity which nearly cost him the 2021 title despite having the fastest car...."

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2. Posted by kenji, 17/11/2022 10:42

"@ Brighton Corgi...I would tend to think that Bottas would have a different opinion to that conclusion...
"

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3. Posted by BrightonCorgi, 15/11/2022 18:59

"They'll each push each other to one-two's on the podium. Mercedes has shown they don't care which order the drivers are on that podium."

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4. Posted by Chester, 15/11/2022 13:09

"Time will tell. "

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5. Posted by Wokingchap, 15/11/2022 12:54

"How hugely respectful they are to each other, and George's massive respect for Lewis was delightful to hear when he asked if they were racing each other or not, near the end of the race. Long may it continue...... I hope."

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"It's not going to be a problem," insists Hamilton

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