Lewis Hamilton has been with the Mercedes squad for over a decade. The Brackley-based outfit helped him transition from a young, talented racer into a motorsport icon. Moreover, the Briton cherished some career-defining moments with Toto Wolff and Co. However, things took a sharp turn after the final race of 2021.
While FIA introduced new regulations, the Silver Arrows updated the drivers line-up. The team overlooked Valtteri Bottas to cash in on a young British racer, George Russell. While the team foresaw a bright in the youngster, little did they know this might backfire. Two years down the lane, the British duo of Hamilton and Russell have fierce dynamics. Thus, fans have accused the squad and George Russell of sabotaging the seven-time world champion.
Lewis Hamilton Asks For Support Instead Of Negativity
The legendary Lewis Hamilton is enduring one of the worst seasons of his career. To add to his misery, his teammate George Russell has finished ahead of him in nearly every race. Thus, Mercedes’ de facto leader feels pressured. Moreover, a problem-ridden W15 filled his pathway with obstacles. As a result, the Briton hasn’t hesitated to take sly digs at the technical team, indirectly targeting them on numerous occasions. While the issues between Hamilton and the team are not new, his latest remark fueled the controversy.
The fire ignited in Monaco, where Hamilton, in a low tone, said he could never outrun George Russell. Additionally, when reports surfaced that Mercedes was offering the new front wings only to George Russell, fans accused the team of ‘sabotaging’ the experienced racer. Although later it was clarified Hamilton himself denied using the new setup, the fans started a row of cynical comments. Moreover, they believed that German Marque was mistreating Hamilton as he was leaving for Ferrari. Further, his dull appearances during the post-race interactions validated his fans’ beliefs.
As a result, Mercedes and George Russell were mocked as the hatred grew stronger. The media questioned all the massive fan backlash, and Hamilton replied to Motorsport. The Briton wants the fans to support the team instead of spreading negativity. Further, he revisited the past and called Mercedes a strong team. Moreover, he clarified his unawareness of all the cynical comments targeting George Russell. Then, he lauded the young counterpart, highlighting his remarkable performance. Ultimately, he remarked that there is always room for improvement, noting that as a team, they have consistently maintained effective communication toward that goal.
“Social Media is a double-edged sword,” George Rusell Confronts The Online Haters
George Russell also opened up after receiving unnecessary online hate. During a media interaction, Russell said he doesn’t look on Instagram or Twitter, although he still controls his account and works with his team.
However, the British racer compared social media with a double-edged sword. While the positive side of social media keeps you entertained and updated about the latest trends, the negative side is filled with hatred. He then reiterated Hamilton’s request for support rather than negativity, lamenting that the unnecessary hate is regrettable.