George Russell sees “no reason” for conflict with Lewis Hamilton in F1 2023

George Russell insists there is “no reason” for conflict to emerge with teammate Lewis Hamilton next season, even if Mercedes are back in F1 title contention. 
Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes

Russell and Hamilton struck a 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:strong working relationship in their first season as teammates together during a hugely difficult campaign for Mercedes, who spent much of F1 2022 as the third-fastest team and playing catch up to close the deficit to riv💞als Red Bull and Ferrari after a major regulation overhaul dramatically shook up the pecking order. 

Despite the challenges, Russell impressed in his debut season with Mercedes, claiming his maiden grand prix victory - and the team’s first of the year - at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix on his way to fourth place in the168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史: drivers’ standings and his highest-ever championship finish. 

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Speaking as part of a wide-ranging interview with selected media, including mahbx.com, ahead of his breakthrough F1 win in Brazil, the 24-year-old expressed confidence at mainta💦ining healthy relations with Hamilto൩n. 

“If you are fighting for one-twos there will be a slightly different dynamic and that’s only natural,” Russell said in response to a question from mahbx.com

“But I think the thing we have going for us is the fact that we are at very different stages of our career. It kind of feels l🅘ike we are in this together, really.&n💞bsp;

Race winner George Russell (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 with second placed team mate Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 in parc
Race winner George Russell (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 with second placed team mate Lewis Hamilton …

"If we get to next year and we’ve got a car that’s capable of one-two finishes, we will have a huge amount of pride in thinking we have contributed together in helping the team achieve this. And then we go about ou🌱r business. 

“But we’ve got no reason to have conflict. We have got a good relation🐼ship. We neꦐed to give each other respect, and I think we gave each other respect in Mexico, as an example. 

“We recognise the importance of that within the whole team. If our relationship starts to break up, it’s going to have an impact on the team and ultimat𒀰ely it’s going to go full circle and affe𒅌ct us as well. 

“I think we ✱can continue to build off this and if anything our relationship wil෴l probably get closer as time goes on.” 

Russell 'proud' of F1 2022 season 

In finishing two places and 35 points clear of Hamilton, Russell became just the third driver - after 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Jenson Button in 2011 and 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Nico Rosberg in 2016 - to 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:beat Hamilton in the same car over the course of an F1 season.

Russell had repeatedly downplayed the importance of f🐠inishing ahead of Hamilton throughout his maiden campaign with Mercedes. 

George Russell (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W13 and Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W13 battle for position. Formula 1 World
George Russell (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W13 and Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W13 battle…

Asked by mahbx.com if he takes any personal satisfaction from his performances against Hamilton, R😼ussell said: “For ꦅsure I’m pleased to one degree of how my personal performance has gone. 

“It’s no secret that Lewis had a bit of a tricky run at the start of this season, so that gave me an opportunity to rack up probably some more points. But equally, it’ꦏs been pretty even between the two of us and that’s been good for me.&nb💃sp;

“When you are a racing driver, yo🏅u want to be the fastest every single time you hꦇit the track. And being even is also something that is a difficult pill to swallow, because we all believe in ourselves and you always believe you can get the best out of it. 

“But when you’ve got someone such as Lewi🐲s alongside you, performing at such a [high] level, week-in, week-out, you are never ever going to be🐼 able to be quickest within your team every single week. 

“The amount of points we’ve scored this year would have been enough to finish P3 in t👍he championship last year. And considering that’s with a car that’s been over a se🤡cond off the pace at times, I take a lot of pride in that.”

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