George Russell says Lewis Hamilton and himself keep a robust belief between them which their occasional on-track skirmishes in 2023 didn’t erode.
The Mercedes drivers discovered themselves at odds with one another a couple of instances final season, however Russell insists the contacts have been largely because of the frequency of their interactions, contemplating their evenly matched gear and driving talents.
The pair suffered a flash level in qualifying in Spain, however the duo’s most dramatic encounter unfolded on the Qatar Grand Prix.
As they battled for place on the run right down to Flip 1, a collision occurred, sending Hamilton spinning off the monitor and out of competition.
The seven-time world champion initially blamed his teammate for the DNF however after reviewing footage of the incident, Hamilton acknowledged his error and took full accountability for the conflict.
“I believe it’s regular while you’re so shut in efficiency, while you’re lapping on the identical lap instances otherwise you’re beginning subsequent to 1 one other on the grid – you’re all the time going to be shut,” defined Russell, quoted by Motorsport.com.
“We all the time undergo our methods [in] conferences. The tempo distinction between the 2 of us is zero.
“We’re all the time going to be going throughout a 24-race season, a median of 60 laps per race, we cross paths lots and he’s the driving force I cross paths with probably the most.
“So, I believe that’s in all probability what we put it right down to.”
Total, the connection between Russell and Hamilton is certainly one of respect and mutual understanding, underpinned by their shared need to succeed.
Whereas their on-track battles could also be intense, their off-track interactions are characterised by professionalism and a targeted strategy to attaining Mercedes’ collective objectives.
“There could also be tense [moments], it could be exhausting, however we belief each other,” Russell added.
“We all know that we’ll give one another sufficient house to struggle essentially and never transcend the restrict.
“Clearly, Qatar was only a little bit of a lap one small misjudgement. That’s one other alternative the place it was one other podium or perhaps a potential victory missed.”
Russell, who completed P8 in F1’s Drivers’ standings, described his 2023 marketing campaign because the “most psychologically difficult” of his profession.
However he additionally conceded that pushing himself to new limits towards his teammate led to the inevitable mistake.
“I’m purposely making an attempt to push myself additional and past,” he mentioned. “I’m not glad with simply being on par with my team-mate in qualifying or no matter it could be.
“Or final 12 months [when] we have been very even throughout the entire season. I need to be forward.
“That’s what I’m pushing myself for. Maybe that’s been a small motive for contributing to a few extra errors.”
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