CANADA: George Russell, the current teammate of Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, has expressed confidence that the seven-time world champion will continue his Formula 1 career “for years to come.”
As rumours swirled about Hamilton’s future and a possible move to Ferrari in 2024, Russell believes it is increasingly likely that the 38-year-old British driver will extend his contract with Mercedes.
The doubts surrounding Hamilton’s future arose due to Mercedes‘ lacklustre start to the 2023 season. Having won six of his seven championships with the team, Hamilton’s existing deal is set to expire at the end of this year.
However, recent reports suggest that Hamilton and Mercedes are edging closer to an agreement for a contract extension. Russell, who joined Mercedes as Hamilton’s teammate at the start of the 2022 season, has complete faith in the longevity of the most successful driver in Formula 1 history.
Speaking to the media ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, Russell cheekily remarked on Lewis Hamilton’s age-defying looks. Russell emphasised that he and Hamilton believe in the Mercedes team and their chances of success.
Despite Hamilton’s age, Russell highlighted that he is still performing at a remarkably high level, and their healthy competition is pushing them to new heights.
The team’s morale is high after Mercedes’ impressive showing at the Spanish Grand Prix, where they secured two podium finishes and overtook Aston Martin in the Constructors’ standings.
However, Russell cautioned that the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix poses different challenges, as it features a street circuit with bumpy terrain and predominantly slow-speed corners compared to Barcelona’s smooth and high-speed corners.
While Russell acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding their competitiveness in Montreal, he remained optimistic and believed that a close battle with Aston Martin and Ferrari was likely.
The varying track conditions and softer tire compounds add a layer of unpredictability to the race. Nonetheless, Russell expressed satisfaction with the team’s progress and direction heading into the Formula 1 weekend.
He emphasised that mixed conditions could present an opportunity for Mercedes to have a strong performance and achieve a positive result. Despite the challenges and uncertainties, Lewis Hamilton’s career in Formula 1 appears far from over.
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