George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, both drivers for Mercedes.
George Russell believes Lewis Hamilton leaving will provide a “new spark” for Mercedes, while he also sees the timing as a positive.
Before the F1 2024 season, a significant announcement was made stating that Hamilton’s tenure as a Mercedes driver would conclude, as he would be joining Ferrari for the 2025 season.
George Russell sees the positives in Lewis Hamilton Mercedes exit
Mercedes therefore are in the process of determining a new team-mate for Russell, who believes that Hamilton moving on can be a “new spark” for team as well as driver.
Additionally, he expresses relief that Hamilton has decided to leave at this moment, pointing out that the sentiment would have been significantly altered if he had opted to depart after the contentious culmination of his 2021 championship rivalry with Max Verstappen from Red Bull.
“It’s a fresh start for the team,” Russell told the Daily Mail.
Lewis has experienced shared success with numerous individuals in this place, yet change has the power to ignite a fresh spark within each person. This transformation not only rejuvenates Lewis but also ignites a similar fire within us, as we eagerly anticipate the upcoming year.
“It’s fortunate that Lewis is departing now instead of in 2021, as it would have posed challenges for the entire team.”
After the end of that season, Mercedes has been on a quest to find the answer for launching a new championship pursuit against Red Bull in the ground effect era of Formula 1, which commenced in 2022.
In the F1 2024 season, Mercedes is yet to secure their first podium. Russell acknowledges that the W15 may have been a bit too ambitious in its attempt to resolve the problems faced by its predecessors. However, with technical director James Allison leading the team, Russell has unwavering confidence in Mercedes.
Russell explained, “By examining the data and relating it to our experiences, we can comprehend the reasons behind the poor performance of both last year and the year before. The issues that were previously at the back have now shifted to the forefront.”
The issue lies in the excessive extent of the changes we implemented. While initially heading in the correct direction, we continued beyond the necessary point. This situation highlights the constant need for finding a middle ground and making compromises.
“Our team is exceptional, and we are fortunate to have additional outstanding individuals joining us. With James back leading the team, nothing is being overlooked or ignored. His strong leadership is evident.”
Will George Russell beat Lewis Hamilton in Mercedes F1 2024 battle?
F1 2024: Head-to-head race statistics between team-mates
The ‘completely absurd’ Lewis Hamilton retirement theory linked to Ferrari move
In the F1 2024 development battle, Mercedes, Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren have all made their initial moves. Russell commented on Mercedes’ two-part W15 upgrade, stating that it enhanced their car’s balance throughout the Miami and Imola circuits.
McLaren and Ferrari, who pose a threat to Red Bull in the title race, have successfully matched their progress. Meanwhile, Mercedes is tirelessly working to ensure a continuous stream of upgrades.
Russell informed the media, including PlanetF1.com, at the Monaco Grand Prix that the car’s balance has significantly improved throughout the lap. He mentioned that they faced difficulties earlier in the year while trying to balance the car’s performance between high and low-speed corners. However, he believes that they have made considerable progress in addressing this issue.
“When considering the distance between us and Red Bull, as well as the gap between us and the other midfield teams, we have made progress. However, it is reasonable to acknowledge that Ferrari and McLaren have also made comparable advancements.”
Therefore, it is crucial for us to continue our efforts in implementing upgrades to the car. Currently, the entire team is working tirelessly to expedite the delivery of these enhancements.
Mercedes sit P4 in the current F1 2024 Constructors’ standings, 88 points behind McLaren a position ahead.
Read next: Lewis Hamilton declared F1’s GOAT over Michael Schumacher by Sebastian Vettel
