Ex-F1 driver reveals how Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes career has given George Russell a ‘turbo charge’

George Russell drove alongside Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes from 2022 till the end of the 2024 Formula 1 campaign.


Ex-F1 driver reveals how Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes career has given George Russell a ‘turbo charge’

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell (via GPblog)

With the departure of Lewis Hamilton from the Mercedes F1 team, George Russell has become the de-facto team leader of the outfit. In light of this, the Ex-F1 driver Mark Webber has come up with some fascinating remarks.

George Russell became Lewis Hamilton’s teammate in 2022 when he replaced Valtteri Bottas. Since then, the young Brit has done an exemplary job making his trade alongside the seven-time world champion.

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Mark Webber believes that Hamilton’s influence within Mercedes and his wealth of knowledge has immensely helped Russell in gaining an advantage in F1. The duo were teammates from 2022 until the end of the recently concluded 2024 campaign.

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Well, given what Lewis has done in that team, indirectly given George a turbo charge. To start your career opposite him… that’s a little investment.

Mark Webber via Channel 4

Hamilton is easily one of the biggest names to ever compete in F1. Russell’s three-year stint alongside the senior Brit will surely help him in the upcoming years. Moreover, the 26-year-old has himself, on many occasions, admitted to Hamilton’s positive impact on him at Mercedes.

Mercedes’ chief reveals Lewis Hamilton’ pep-talk ahead of final race with the team

Lewis Hamilton has an extremely fascinating outing in his last race with Mercedes. Qualifying was a horror show in Abu Dhabi with a Q1 exit. However, the Brit managed a grand comeback in the main 58-lap race to finish in P4.

Lewis Hamilton and James Allison (via IMAGO)
Lewis Hamilton and James Allison (via IMAGO)

With the 2024 season done and dusted, Mercedes’ technical director James Allison has revealed what Hamilton said in the debrief ahead of the race.

He was disappointed, we were even more disappointed for him, and yet, in the debrief afterward, when we were down in the mouth, he was telling us, look, put your chins up, we’re going to make the most of tomorrow, and remember all the times when we’ve got this right together.

James Allison via PlanetF1

Hamilton started the 2024 Abu Dhabi GP from the south end of the grid. During the race, he kept on making up places to eventually end up in fourth place by overtaking Russell on the last lap.

The 39-year-old’s drive was a memorable one, and it once again proved, why he is still considered a special talent in F1. The Brit’s 2025 move to Ferrari is his final roll of the dice in the pursuit of the elusive eighth drivers’ world championship.