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George Russell’s Biggest Achievement Blamed for Lewis Hamilton’s Miseries

Published 10/13/2023, 12:19 PM EDT

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In the whirlwind of the 2022 Sao Paulo Grand Prix, while most of us were busy popping confetti for George Russell‘s spectacular first Grand Prix victory, a few were raising eyebrows over what this meant for Lewis Hamilton. The Brazilian race track was set aflame, not just by Russell’s prowess in holding off his teammate Hamilton but also by the duo securing Mercedes‘ first win of the season.

The victory itself wasn’t just another mark on the scoreboard; it was an emotional rollercoaster. Sao Paulo witnessed a teary-eyed Russell, who was probably singing “We are the Champions” in his head, finally achieving what he’d been dreaming of – his first Grand Prix win. But let’s swerve our F1 cars to the podcast pits for a second.

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The F1 Chequered Flag podcast spilled some intriguing beans. Their take? That Mercedes might have been a little too swept up in the euphoria of the São Paulo win. One commentator mentioned, “I saw an article in the week that said, should the Formula One World Championship be decided in a sprint race? And I was like, it’s not going to be decided in the sprint race. It was decided six months ago, but more than that, I think it was decided at the Brazilian Grand Prix last year, when Mercedes had a false storm.

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After Russell’s Brazilian GP win, Mercedes might’ve popped the champagne a tad too early, thinking their car’s the next big thing. But according to podcast whispers, they clung to a flawed design. The result? Hamilton’s ride lost its zing, and as Toto Wolff hinted, don’t expect major changes till 2024.

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It seems like they’re just applying fancy bandaids to their car while Red Bull Racing zooms ahead. The Brazilian Grand Prix, thus, becomes a race of mixed emotions for Mercedes: jubilation for Russell, but perhaps an unspoken revelation for Hamilton. If Sao Paulo’s winds had blown another way, who knows where Mercedes would stand today?

While Red Bull’s been stealing the F1 limelight since the 2022 ground effect aerodynamics shift, Mercedes’ lad George Russell hints that the winds might be changing. And trust us, when Russell drops hints, you ought to lend an ear!

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George Russell: Mercedes’ 2024 ride might just surprise you!

Struggling to match the speed of the dominant bulls, Mercedes sits cozily in the second spot for this season’s Constructors’ Championship. And with Max Verstappen pushing Red Bull’s advantage further, it’s like watching a high-speed game of cat and mouse. But here comes the twist: Mercedes has been on an aerodynamic treasure hunt, testing multiple concepts for their future ride, the W15.

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“We’ve made some really good findings,” Russell gleefully shares, “with regards to the aero of the car.” He’s bullish on the team not repeating past mistakes and confidently adds, “I think there’s loads of places that we can improve it.” (from the latest press conference)

That said, let’s not forget it’s a relative game. While Russell’s optimism is contagious, he’s cautious, “We can never promise what we’re going to deliver over the winter in terms of a result.”

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So, whether you’re #TeamMercedes or just an F1 enthusiast eagerly awaiting the next season’s thrills, 2024 is shaping up to be quite the spectacle.

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Written by:

Pulkit Jai

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Pulkit is an F1 writer at EssentiallySports. With a strong academic background in engineering, he possesses an in-depth understanding of the intricate mechanics and technology driving Formula 1. This expertise allows him to offer insightful analysis, exploring the technical aspects of the sport and shedding light on the innovative advancements that shape the world of F1.
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Edited by:

Aishwary Gaonkar