F1 Insider Predicts Another Major Headache for Lewis Hamilton if He Comes Back for the 2022 Season

British driver George Russell joined the reigning champions Mercedes ahead of the 2022 F1 season to potentially team up with Lewis Hamilton. Though relatively young, Russell is one of the most sought-after drivers on the F1 grid because of his lethal skills. Before entering Formula 1 in 2019, Russell had an exceptional junior career behind him.

As has been the case since Nico Rosberg and Hamilton teamed up,  there have been speculations about Russell’s role in the team.

His predecessor, Valtteri Bottas, enjoyed a successful stint with the team but was often forced to play second fiddle to the 7-time champion. Now with Russell coming in alongside Lewis Hamilton, the power dynamics in the team might go for a spin once again.

Many believe that the young Brit will challenge the Mercedes key man right from his first season with the team.

Russell will provide a sterner test to Lewis Hamilton

Mercedes had a championship-contending driver line-up from 2013 to 16 and though the team performed well, it took a toll on the atmosphere inside the garage. With Russell coming in, F1 pundits are wondering if he will add to the pain of Lewis Hamilton. In a recent news piece published by Sky Sports F1, the insiders of the sport believe the 23-year-old can become a pain for Lewis Hamilton on the grid.

Many believe Hamilton had it easy against Valtteri Bottas but Russell will provide a sterner test. “That’s the other thing Hamilton has to deal with,” said F1 pundit Ted Kravitz.

“He has to get over the pain of Abu Dhabi, and he needs to be reassured by the FIA that everything is going to be fair. And then he needs to deal with a hotshot new teammate, and deal with Max Verstappen, who’s going to be high on confidence of course.”

“It’s such a big job for Hamilton,” he added.

When Russell replaced covid-infected Hamilton during the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix, the fans clearly witnessed what the young gun can do with a competitive car. More recently, Russell categorically denied any studying of Lewis Hamilton in a bid to gain any kind of edge. He believes no driver on the grid knows the best way to drive the 2022 car and the mantra lies in adapting rather than studying.

Russell has started preparation with the Brackley team. He will be soon behind the wheel of the W-13 for the winter testing in February. The season will kick-start in Bahrain in March and is surely going to be a thrilling one.

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