Lewis Hamilton and George Russell will endure a “mighty tussle”, says Johnny Herbert
A fascinating talking point as the 2023 F1 season looms is the relationship between the Mercedes teammates, both of whom have sta🀅te that they want the championship for themselves.
Seven-time champion Hamilton didn’t win a grand prix for the first tౠime in his career last year, but Russell claimed Mercedes’ sole victory in Brazil in a major statement of intent.
“I think Lewis started last year probably a little bit frustrated, knowing the🌃 car wasn't great,” Herbert told .
"I don't think he had the right mental approach because he was probably frustrated, as a racing driver would be as a seven-time world champion, trying to get eighth, which was taken away from him.ꦏ"
“Now, that opportunity has reset to get himself mentally and physicall♑y prepared.♍
“It's a good thing, maybe for Lewis, knowing that🌸 the pressure is going to be reallꦿy hot from George.
"It can be a very positive thing for a driver to💖 know your team-mate is going to be strong, to be pushed. You know you need to up your game straightaway.
“Lewis has🦩 done that in the past but he'sꩵ coming to the end of his career.
“Things change as you get older and⛄ when you have a young whippersnapper coming in, who's hungry for that success, there is going to be a crossover at some point.
"Will that be this year? I would be surprised. But I think it's going to be a mighty, tight tussle with George very hungry to try and take the reins away from Lewis, who won't give up very easily as well. That's what we want.🐷"
Russell finished above Hamilton in the F1 standings la💙st year♉, in a year blighted by their W13’s performance issues.
Hamilton, now 38, knows time is running out to set the all-time record 💞by winning an eighth championship.
Meanwhile, ex-racing drivers Herbert and Paul di Resta will no longer be a pa✨rt of Sky Sports’ F1 broadcast in the UK.
James was a ꧂sports journalist at Sky Sports for a decade covering everything from American sports, to football, to F1.
