Wolff rules out a conflict between Russell and Hamilton as the Mercedes boss believes there is enough respect between Lewis Hamilton and George Russell to avoid any internal conflict this season if the team is to challenge for the Formula 1 championship.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff rules out any internal conflict between his two drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell this season should the German manufacturer’s team be able to fight for the F1 world championship.
After a clear dominance between 2014 and 2021, the Mercedes team faced more difficulties in 2022 when the new technical regulations were introduced in Formula 1. Mercedes did not go in the right direction with their car development and both drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton had to adapt to a very temperamental W13 throughout the season. However, significant progress was made towards the end of the year with a win in Brazil for the Mercedes’s new arrival, George Russell.
Russell Hamilton rivalry
Mercedes is expected to be back in the game in 2023 with a more competitive car than its predecessor, but that could mean some rivalry between the two team-mates this year if they are ever in contention for the world championship.
When asked if he is not worried that a rivalry between his two drivers this year could escalate into an internal conflict, Toto Wolff replied:
“We have to accept that there can be a rivalry between our drivers, but it must never escalate into a conflict that could affect the team, I have never allowed that and I will never allow that.”
The Austrian explains in the columns of AMUS, while fans still have the toxic relationship between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg in 2016 in mind.
Hamilton used to have ‘the perfect car’
“A good dynamic between drivers also depends on how you manage them as a team and what limits you decide to impose.”
But ahead of the 2023 season, Wolff has no concerns about the relationship between his two drivers, with the Austrian stressing how much respect Russell and Hamilton have for each other.
“Lewis is the greatest driver of all time with Michael Schumacher when he was at Ferrari. He [Hamilton] went from a perfect car to the W13 [for the 2022 season] and had to adapt a lot.”
“But we had races where Lewis was stronger and others where George was stronger. It wasn’t about who scored more points and beat the other. The most important thing was to develop the car together so that we could win again.”
“Both have great respect for each other, and both recognise the good work of their teammate. So I think we are in a good position due to the fact that both are very receptive to each other.”
“But we had races where Lewis was stronger and others where George was stronger. It wasn’t about who scored more points and beat the other. The most important thing was to develop the car together so that we could win again.”
“Both have great respect for each other, and both recognise the good work of their teammate. So I think we are in a good position due to the fact that both are very receptive to each other.”
The Mercedes team will present its new W14 car for the 2023 season on February 15 at an event broadcast live from the Silverstone circuit in the UK.
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