George Russell, now Mercedes' lead driver, has revealed the psychological approach that helped him outperform former teammate Lewis Hamilton during their three seasons together. Russell finished ahead of the seven-time World Champion in two out of three seasons (2022 and 2024).
Why it matters
Russell's ability to consistently challenge and often surpass a driver of Hamilton's caliber highlights his mental fortitude and strategic approach to performance, marking him as a formidable force in F1.
The details
- Psychological Edge: Russell confided that conversations with his psychologist were key to managing the pressure of being Hamilton's teammate.
- Performance Mindset: He adopted a mindset where his teammate's identity (whether a champion or rookie) became irrelevant once he was in the car. "It should not matter if my teammate in the garage next door is a seven-time World Champion, a rookie, or if there's nobody there, because I'm in control of my own destiny," Russell stated.
- Consistent Results: This approach led to Russell outperforming Hamilton in the Drivers' Championship in both 2022 and 2024.
What's next
Russell's long-term future at Mercedes remains a topic of discussion. While team principal Toto Wolff indicated Russell and Kimi Antonelli would drive for Mercedes in 2026, the length of Russell's contract is uncertain, especially with the possibility of Max Verstappen becoming available in late 2026. Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has advised Russell to consider other opportunities if his situation at Mercedes becomes less favorable.