George Russell Points Out Why the Hamilton-Rosberg Relationship “Fizzled Out”
Follow Us
via Getty
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: ART Grand Prix Formula 2 driver George Russell of Great Britain and Williams F1 and Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP talk in the Drivers Press Conference during previews ahead of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on November 22, 2018 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Teammate chemistry can often be strange in Formula 1. While we have seen great pairings like Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris at McLaren, we have also seen pairings like Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes. George Russell, who has had a healthy relationship with his teammates so far, believes that the Hamilton-Rosberg dynamic went sour because of the competitiveness between them.
The Williams driver himself puts up quite a fight against his teammates. Part of the upcoming generation of drivers in F1, he has consistently outperformed two teammates in the two seasons since he joined Williams.
George Russell: Didn’t have any reason for intense fall outs
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Rising through the ranks with drivers like Lando Norris, Russell believes there was never a reason for their relationships to go sour. Appearing on the In the Fast Lane podcast, he talked about his battle with Norris to explain the relationship he has with his competitors.
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Portuguese Grand Prix – Algarve International Circuit – Portimao, Portugal – April 29, 2021 Williams’ George Russell during the press conference Pool via REUTERS/Gabriel Bouys
Speaking to Matt Clayton, he said, “We’ve come through the ranks together. I think, naturally, our relationship is still relatively good because there’s been no reason to have intense falling outs.
Trending
Daniel Ricciardo To Be Replaced by Liam Lawson After Miami, F1 Pundit Dishes Out Harsh Verdict After Australian’s “Amateur Mistake”
April 17, 2024 11:14 AM EDT
Max Verstappen Sabotaged Daniel Ricciardo’s Only Chance of Getting the Red Bull Seat for 2025
April 21, 2024 11:59 AM EDT
F1 Rumor: Christian Horner and Wife Geri to Publicly Reveal All Details on Leaked Chat Scandal
April 22, 2024 04:10 PM EDT
Carlos Sainz Blames Charles Leclerc for Causing Fred Vasseur’s Painful Chinese GP Loss
April 21, 2024 12:23 PM EDT
Miami GP 2024: Max Verstappen Embraces the American Spirit With Helmet Design
April 23, 2024 06:15 PM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest F1 stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
“Lando and I battled in Formula 2. But, we didn’t have any true battles, if you know what I mean. We didn’t go wheel-to-wheel and crash into each other, and we had no reason to hate each other.”
Hamilton and Rosberg’s story was different: Russell
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The 23-year-old thinks that the Hamilton–Rosberg battle in 2016 strained their relationship beyond repair. The two drivers started out as best of friends from their go-karting days. However, certain races in the 2016 season forced their friendship to deteriorate.
via Getty
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – Race winner Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP and second place finisher and World Drivers Champion Nico Rosberg of Germany and Mercedes GP on the podium during the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Russell said, “Maybe the same with Lewis and Rosberg. They were good friends back in the day. With those teammates, everything was hunky-dory.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“And suddenly, few comings together and taking the championship down to the wire, and that relationship soon fizzles out.”
Should Russell move to Mercedes in the future, he could fight for race wins and championships. Could a similar situation happen to the Briton in the future, despite his friendships with other drivers?
Written by:
