Large gaps between the two Mercedes drivers was a common theme in F1 2023.

In Abu Dhabi, Russell qualified inside the top four and finished on the podium, while Hamilton got knocked out in Q2 🔯and finished behind AlphaTauri.

It was a similar story in Hungary, where Hamilton qualified on pole, while Russell wa𒁃s𒈔 out in Q1. 

“It's d🐬efinitely something we've noticed,” Russell said. “Lewis and I, over the course of the year, I don't think we've ever been at the same pace.

“Over the last few years our qualifying record is almost the same. But it's either one driver is six tenths a꧒head of the other. So it's🧜 something we're trying to understand. 

“I think often when you're slightly on the backfoot as a driver, you're chasing🐻 to close that gap.✃ 

“Sometimes in doing so, you take a step backwards rather than actuall𒆙y c🅘lose that gap naturally.

“It’s something I'm t🤪rying to figure out myself and I'm sure he’s trying to figure ou♛t as well.”

Russell ultimately finished eighth in the final standings, fiv♊e places behind ꦛHamilton.