Recall the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix? The two Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg crashed into each other on Lap 1. It’s deja vu all over again for the Silver Arrows. Yes, in David Croft’s words: “THE TWO MERCEDES COME TOGETHER! Not only the fact that the Mercedes crashed again but also the backdrop of the driver duo having a rivalry seething under the radar. It’s all unleashed under the lights in Qatar… and Lewis Hamilton is not a happy man!

Mercedes started P2 and P3 behind Max Verstappen at the Qatar Grand Prix. Hamilton was on the softer rubber and had a great launch. By the looks of it, the 7X champion wanted to be aggressive. However, before the race even started, Hamilton on the radio advised that he’d be a sitting duck for the ones around him. Maybe this was the reason why Hamilton was super aggressive into turn 1. Nonetheless, disaster struck the Mercedes garage.

Lewis Hamilton was on the outside of George Russell going into Turn 1 as the young Brit collided with the 7X champ teammate and took him out of the race. The drama was soon followed by radios from both the Mercedes drivers. What adds depth to this crash is the fact that tensions were already brewing between Russell and Hamilton after the Japanese GP saga. This crash is only bound to make things worse in the Mercedes garage and cause a huge headache for Toto Wolff. 

Lewis Hamilton did not hold back following the crash and radioed his team with a fiery message. As the team asked the Briton if he was okay, Hamilton replied with a savage comment in a calm tone as he said, “Yeah, I’ve been taken out by my own teammate.” While Russell was able to continue, Hamilton was beached in the middle of the gravel outside turn 1 and retired from the race.

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Looks like the Mercedes driver who was fired up to take the fight to Verstappen retired as a result of the Mercedes driver who was willing to wave the Dutchman goodbye after turn 1. But what exactly did Russell and Hamilton say about taking the fight to Verstappen? 

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell’s clash of opinion regarding Max Verstappen

Lewis Hamilton was promoted to P3 on the grid after Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri’s lap time was deleted during the qualifying session. When asked during the post-race press conference about the chances of taking the fight to Max Verstappen, George Russell advised that he would be waving goodbye to the Dutchman whereas Hamilton had the fighting spirit and said that he would do whatever it took to bring the fight to Verstappen. 

As per FIA.com, George Russell said, “Probably waving him goodbye, I think, after Turn 1. Max has done an exceptional job. He deserves to be champion this year.” Hamilton on the other hand said, “No, I’m battling the guy to the right of me for sure. I think, yeah, I’ll give it everything to try and fight him.”

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Regardless, Hamilton was pretty bullish on his soft tires at the start. Perhaps a sniff at taking the lead from Verstappen? He definitely wished to send it round the outside. Just forgot to give Russell a memo. Anyways, the Mercedes rivalry seems to be blown over and Toto Wolff has got some talking to do!