Toto Wolff’s vow to avoid F1 driver ‘conflict’ as he makes Michael Schumacher-Lewis Hamilton comparison
Hamilton and Russell formed a strong relationship both on and off the track in their first season as teammates amid their push to help Merc⛦edes recover from a torrid 2022 campaign.
But it remains to be seen whetheꦐr the respect will be maintained if Ha♑milton and Russell find themselves in a direct battle for race wins and the world title during the 2023 season.
Prior to Russell’s arrival, Mercedes enjoyed a harmonious partnership of Hamilton and168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史: Valtteri Bottas for five years, which followed a fierce intra-team rivalry that erupted between Hamilton and168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史: Nico Rosberg.
Hamilton and Rosberg had been childhood friends but their relationship suffered a com꧅plete breakdown after going head-to-head for F1 titles over the course of three seasons.
“I think we are in a good starting positiꦛon ▨because both drivers respect each other. Respect each other humanly.
“We accept that there can be a ꦰrivalry between our drivers. But this rivalry must never degenerate into a conflict that could damage the team.
“I would never allow that♈. I have never allowed that either.”
Russell became the first teammate since Rosberg in 2016 to beat Hamilton over the course of a season as he finished fourth in the 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:2022 drivers’ standings, two places and 35 points ahead of his fellow Briton.&nbs💮p;
Wolff is predicting another close battle between Russell and Hamilton, who he likened to fellow seven-time world champion 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Michael Schumacher.
“Le🤡wis is the best driver of all time along with Michael Schumacher in 𓄧his Ferrari days,” Wolff added. “I would see Lewis and George on a par in 2022.
“George got out of a car that was certainly difficult to drive. He got into one that was certainly difficult t🌜o dr🐻ive as well.
“Lewis went from a perfect car to the W13. So he had to adapt a lot. We had races w𝓀here George was stronger and races where Lewis was stronger.
ಌ“But it wasn’t about who scored more points and bea൲t the other. It was about developing a car together that was capable of winning.
“Both hav🐻e great respect for each other. And both recognise the other’s performance. That’s a good constellation.”
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