Russell Calls Hamilton's "Useless" Claim "Nonsense"
George Russell has dismissed Lewis Hamilton's recent self-deprecating remarks as "nonsense," emphasizing that his former teammate remains the "greatest driver of all time" despite a challenging weekend in Hungary.
Why it matters: Even the most accomplished athletes face moments of self-doubt. Russell's comments highlight the immense pressure F1 drivers experience and offer a supportive perspective on Hamilton's emotional reaction.
The context:
- Hamilton endured a difficult Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, failing to advance past Q2 in qualifying and finishing outside the points in the race.
- Following qualifying, a dejected Hamilton told Sky Sports he felt "useless" and suggested Ferrari "should get another driver."
Russell's take:
- Russell, who finished on the podium in Hungary, attributed Hamilton's strong words to raw emotions immediately after a disappointing session.
- "Of course he's talking nonsense when he says something like that because he's the greatest driver of all time," Russell told GPblog.
- He added, "When you go from the racetrack and you're in front of the media, within 10 minutes you have all of these emotions. When you have a bad day, that's how you feel."
- Russell affirmed that Hamilton "still got it," pointing to his sprint victory earlier in the year in China as proof. He acknowledged that F1 is a tough sport, especially when the team isn't performing optimally.
Looking ahead:
- Russell noted that many drivers are already looking forward to 2026 for new opportunities to contend for a championship.
- For a driver of Hamilton's caliber, who holds the record for most F1 world titles alongside Michael Schumacher, his motivation extends beyond merely scoring points; he "lives for one goal," which is fighting for championships.