Hamilton says he has no idea if Russell will be faster than Bottas
Sep.10 - Lewis Hamilton says he isn't sure if George Russell will be a tougher teammate to beat than the departing Valtteri Bottas.
Earlier, the seven time world champion made it clear to Mercedes that he wanted Bottas to stay - but was ultimately overruled.
When asked what influence he had on Toto Wolff's decision, Hamilton said at Monza: "Not much.
"I was asked for my opinions about Valtteri and George, and I gave it to them. But in the end it wasn't my decision."
For his part, 23-year-old Russell insists he is heading from Williams to Mercedes to compete "on level terms" against Hamilton.
"That was made very clear to me," he insisted.
"Equally, I know how tough it's going to be. Mercedes have had clear experience of a poor dynamic within the team and they've made it absolutely clear that they don't want a repeat," said Russell.
Hamilton, who infamously clashed with Nico Rosberg last decade, says it's not a certainty that he will suffer a similar fate as he grapples with the much younger Russell.
"History has shown it can work - and that it can't," said the 36-year-old.
"It's a difficult one to navigate through but we have experienced it and learnt from it and should be well set moving forwards."
As for whether he is expecting Russell to be a faster challenge than Bottas, Hamilton answered: "All I know is that George is very fast.
"Whether he will be faster than Valtteri, I have no idea."
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This season is going to be close so why am I already looking forward to next, well if GR carry's on in the manner he has so far then I've no doubt he'll be a WDC sometime soon. Go George! (Seems such a nice boy too)
F1 award Not quite sure how to take the last comment about George đđ€Ł
Oh Linda, you know f1 , he always likes the nice boys....!
Linda, not really that difficult to interpret. Seinfeld episode running joke: "There's nothing wrong with that".
I'm hoping for a punch-up in the MB garage.
imo George has seen the mullering Hamilton has given VB and hell think right, i know how to play him, gonna cause friction, it has too, looking at the pics of hamster with the love of his life ewwww, his mutt , may i suggest george buys a Rottweiler , watching hammy carrying his baby up them steps ffs , the dogs got legs, all we got on twitter was 7 seconds of Roscoe's arse
Sounds like you have a man crush dude!!
All being well George is gonna crush hampster on & of track GO GEORGE!!
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