George Russell confirmed that Lewis Hamilton will receive fair treatment at the Mercedes Formula 1 team until 2024, despite his upcoming move to Ferrari. This shocking revelation came just before the start of the season, when Hamilton activated a clause in his contract with Mercedes to join the Italian team. Hamilton’s departure at the end of the season will mark the end of a successful period with Mercedes, during which he won six driver’s championships and 82 races. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff made it clear that Hamilton will be treated equally to Russell in his final season. When asked about the impact of Hamilton’s news in Australia, Russell stated that Mercedes ensures that both drivers have equal opportunities. He praised Hamilton for his professionalism and emphasized that nothing has changed in their working relationship. Russell also highlighted that Mercedes has always been committed to providing both drivers with the same upgrades and chances for success. This approach will continue into the next season, regardless of who his teammate may be.
Despite the initial optimism in the winter that it had overcome the limitations of its previous models with its redesigned car, Mercedes had a challenging start to the current season. Hamilton expressed frustration with the inconsistent performance of his W15 car, which caused him to fall behind his less experienced teammate in the early races. However, the seven-time champion denied any suggestion that he had given up, stating that he remains motivated by the team’s unity. “I am striving to improve both the car’s performance and my own,” he said. “I have to be critical of my recent performances and identify areas where I can improve. It’s part of life that you can’t always be perfect. Achieving that perfect harmony with the car is something you are always chasing. George has also faced challenges in finding that harmony. What I appreciate, even though we are not currently competing for wins, is the teamwork. The work behind the scenes, the discussions we have, and the unity we have as a team is truly enjoyable for me. Everyone is focused and moving in the same direction, even though it may seem like we are swimming against the current now. But we will eventually achieve our goals.”
