George Russell has hit again at Lewis Hamilton’s controversial feedback final month by stating the F1 legend was merely “pissed off” when suggesting he was being favoured
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George Russell has shut down Lewis Hamilton ‘s declare that he’s unlikely to out-qualify his Mercedes team-mate for the remainder of the Components One season.
Russell acknowledged “Hamilton is aware of full nicely that we get the identical remedy”, regardless of the 39-year-old’s feedback suggesting in any other case amid one other irritating season for the veteran.
The stress between Hamilton and his staff has been clear to see since he introduced his transfer to Ferrari on the finish of the present season. He expressed his frustration with Mercedes in Might, saying he’d had sufficient of “toiling” additional down the grid and slammed the staff’s technique on the Monaco Grand Prix over the radio.
“I do not anticipate being forward of George in qualifying, notably this yr, however we have simply received to maintain pushing, and the races are sturdy,” Hamilton vented. His feedback had been in relation to lacking out on a brand new entrance wing, which he allowed Russell to take as there was only one out there on the time.
Russell, 26, has now performed down Hamilton’s earlier remarks by claiming his frustrations received the higher of him in the course of the rant. Chatting with Channel 4, Russell mentioned: “I believe that was in all probability feedback within the warmth of the second as a result of he is aware of full nicely that we get the identical remedy.
“Lewis is a winner, and naturally these years have been irritating for all of us, however particularly for him. He is been used to profitable each single season he competes in, and hasn’t received in three years. In order I mentioned, it is irritating for him, it is irritating for all of us, however I am certain he did not imply it because it got here throughout.”
Mercedes staff boss Toto Wolff echoed these sentiments. Requested again in Might about whether or not Hamilton’s remarks indicated a touch of paranoia, Wolff mentioned: “All drivers [are] a bit sceptical at instances.
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“I believe as a staff, we have demonstrated that even in essentially the most tense competitions between team-mates, we try to all the time stability it proper and be clear and honest.
“I can perceive as a driver, you need the most effective out of your self and the staff, [and] typically when it is going in opposition to you, you possibly can query it. As a staff we’re 100 per cent on a mission of giving the 2 drivers two nice vehicles, the absolute best vehicles, and the absolute best methods and help.”
F1 legend Johnny Herbert additionally dismissed the speculation that Mercedes are neglecting the seven-time world champion. The previous Lotus and Sauber driver described Hamilton’s feedback as “a load of garbage”.
Each drivers have been utilizing the entrance wing improve for the reason that Canadian Grand Prix, however whispers of accelerating pressure between Mercedes and the seasoned driver persist. An unverified electronic mail allegedly despatched by a workers member final week instructed that the producer is already “sabotaging” Hamilton forward of his departure.
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Mercedes have since been informed by the police that no felony offences had been dedicated after the F1 staff referred to as on them to analyze. Hamilton, unaware of the e-mail earlier than the Spanish Grand Prix, expressed his help for Russell, saying they’ve all the time been a “sturdy staff”.
With the conclusion of the Spanish Grand Prix, the place Hamilton secured a season-best third place end, he has solely outperformed Russell in three of the ten races in 2024. Russell sits seventh within the drivers’ standings with 81 factors whereas Hamilton trails with 70 factors, placing him in eighth place.
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