Mercedes F1 Boss Makes Debatable Statement on Second Driver Role
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via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Belgian Grand Prix – Spa-Francorchamps, Spa, Belgium – August 28, 2021 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Williams’ George Russell celebrate after finishing third and second in qualifying Pool via REUTERS/John Thys
Mercedes will head into the 2022 season as the 8-time defending constructors champions. The German team has dominated the turbo-hybrid era since its beginning in 2014. They have won 7 Driver’s Championships, with Lewis winning six of those seven.
But this season they have the new driver pairing of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. There is a possibility that the young British driver may play second fiddle to his more experienced teammate. But Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff mentioned there won’t be any preferences within the team for their drivers.
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We never had a situation where [it was] one and two: Mercedes team boss
As reported by Planetf1, the general belief is Russell will provide Hamilton with a fresh challenge within the team. There were many situations previously when former Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas had to make way for Hamilton in races. But Mercedes’s team boss mentioned that they have never had a situation within the team when they had a preference for the drivers.
“We never had a situation where [it was] one and two; they had equal opportunities and the same car,” said Wolff.
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Formula One F1 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – December 10, 2021, Mercedes Executive Director Toto Wolff talks in the team principals press conference FIA/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES
Toto also commented on the new driver pairing for the team for the 2022 season. “This year, the interesting situation is we have in George the up-and-coming star [in one seat], and undoubtedly the best Formula 1 driver ever in the other seat.
“So the dynamic is new and clearly, it’s something that we will try to steer in a direction that has the most positive effect on developing the car and making us overall competitive,” said Wolff.
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Although the statement made by Wolff may not be completely correct, it is nice to know that both drivers will have equal footing. We expect George will take some time to challenge Hamilton in the races. But it would be interesting to see when they finally battle with each other during the race, how will the team manage that situation.
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