Lewis Hamilton says George Russell can lead Mercedes to success with or without him in the team.
The Briton has enjoyed an impressive start with the Brackley-based team, finishing in the top five at every race until he was involved in the start crash with Zhou Guanyu at Silverstone last Sunday.
And having watched Russell often be the faster driver at Mercedes during this season, Hamilton is confident the future of the team is in safe hands.
“I definitely see he has got so much potential in him and he is in the right place for it as well,” the seven-time world champion was quoted by GPFans.
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“I really think that whether or not I am here, he has all the qualities to help take this team forwards into the future and lead them to success so I think it has been the right choice by the team.
“I hope that I can be a part of helping him progress.”
During a tough 2022, which has seen Mercedes battle with their W13 car, the partnership between Hamilton and Russell has often been highlighted as one of the few positives so far.
“I wouldn’t say it has been tough. It has been pleasant,” Lewis said on their relationship.
“We have worked together incredibly well and George has been super-positive, had a positive impact on the working environment and it has genuinely been a real pleasure to work with him.
“It has been great to see his success. He has done such a great job, he has got great points for the team and is continuing to improve and it is going to continue to improve for a long time.”
As it stands, Russell is currently 18 points ahead of his illustrious teammate in the championship. But the former Williams driver won’t be assessing his season on whether he finishes ahead.
“Obviously, I want to beat my teammate and I’m not going to take offence if he says the same,” he toldthe Guardian.
“But I would not see my season as a success purely because I’ve finished ahead of him more times than he had finished ahead of me.
“I would see it as a success if I was standing at the top step of the podium.”
And Russell believes the push to achieve that first win is only helping him in the Mercedes team.
“Winning is easy to a degree because everybody is happy and the team spirit is great,” he says.
“Suddenly when you are dealing with all of these issues you have to dig deep and as individuals, you learn a lot about yourself and about a group of people as well.”
