Lewis Hamilton was the de facto leader of the Mercedes pack. He has become a motorsport legend since joining the Silver Arrows in 2013. However, after a decade of success and glory, the seven-time world champion will remove his iconic silver-black racing suit. In a shocking turn of events, the Briton signed a dream, multi-year contract with Ferrari. Therefore, in the final years of his career, he will be seen in red, driving for the Scuderia F1 team.
While his move to the Maranello squad shocked the entire F1 fraternity, it was always on the cards. The seeds of his departure were planted in 2021 when Hamilton narrowly missed out on a record-breaking world championship. Furthermore, the signing of George Russell in 2022 was a significant nail in the coffin, at least according to F1 pundit Peter Windsor.
Can George Russell Lead The Silver Arrows? The ‘Englishmen’ Saga At Brackley
As Lewis Hamilton prepares to pack his bags for Italy, the mantle will fall on George Russell. A young, talented British driver promoted to the Mercedes team in 2022, Russell has been a fierce rival of his senior colleague. Moreover, just as the ‘ground effect regulations’ have challenged Mercedes, George Russell has been a challenge for Lewis Hamilton. Earlier in 2021, the German Marque had a chance to re-sign Valtteri Bottas. However, the team was more inclined towards Russell, seeing a promising future in him. While the All-British lineup looked exciting initially, it all turned out to be colossal mayhem. The problem was Russell’s over-competitive behaviour towards his teammate. In contrast, Valtteri Bottas was statistically overshadowed by Lewis Hamilton. But it all changed with Russell, who was in no mood to settle down for the second place. Further, Hamilton’s increasing tussle with the technical team pushed him away from the setup. Thus, over time, George Russell became the favourite, and his counterpart had to find a new home in Ferrari.
According to F1 pundit Peter Windsor, George Russell’s entry to Mercedes sabotaged Hamilton. During an interview with Cameron F1, Windsor said Toto Wolff made a mistake by picking Russell over Bottas. As a result, the fresh apprentice made it difficult for Hamilton to focus on the world championship, as he was getting consistent competition from Russell. Moreover, Hamilton slipped from P2 in 2021 to P6 in 2022, while Russell managed to grab P4 in his debut season for the Three-pointed star. Additionally, Windsor opines that Mercedes could have pushed further during the final moments of the 2021 Abu Dhabi race. Albeit Toto Wolff filed a complaint against the Red Bull team afterwards, FIA declined it on regulatory grounds.
George Russell Expresses Concerns Over 2026 F1 Power Unit Regulations
George Russell discussed the anticipated changes in Formula 1 cars under the 2026 regulations, highlighting significant shifts in performance dynamics. Speaking to media, Russell predicted a substantial increase in straight-line speed, possibly reaching up to 360 km/h on most tracks—an impressive leap from current speeds. However, Russell also emphasised the critical need for enhanced safety measures to match these higher speeds. He expressed concerns about the potential consequences of crashes at such velocities, suggesting that improvements in safety protocols would be essential.
In terms of cornering capabilities, Russell anticipated a notable reduction in speeds. He speculated that teams would likely innovate to mitigate this decrease and maintain competitive performance levels comparable to recent seasons. Russell’s insights offer a glimpse into the future of Formula 1, where speed and safety advancements will likely redefine the sport’s technical and competitive landscape under the new regulations.
