Mercedes’ George Russell and Lewis Hamilton. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters
George Russell believes Mercedes can start with “a fresh sheet of paper” with out Lewis Hamilton and says their relationship has improved since his Ferrari-bound team-mate introduced he’s leaving after this season.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton made the shock announcement in February that he’s quitting Mercedes after 11 years to switch Carlos Sainz at Ferrari.
Mercedes have but to call Hamilton’s successor however Russell will stay with the Silver Arrows subsequent season.
The 26-year-old British driver informed AFP that he thinks the transfer will be good for Hamilton and will additionally permit Mercedes to maneuver on.
“I think a change for him is positive, a change for us is positive,” he mentioned forward of this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix.
“It’s a fresh sheet of paper. Sometimes when you have so much success from the past, you’re leaning on all of the experience of those winning days.
“But the times at present are completely different.”
Russell said he was “shocked, similar as everybody else” when he heard about Hamilton’s move, but he thinks the early announcement has brought “readability” to the situation.
He said Hamilton’s impending exit has done nothing to weaken their working relationship.
“If something, I might argue that issues are higher, to be sincere,” said Russell.
“Of course, we’re in a unique scenario however I believe Lewis has been very rational and constructive and goal after we’re speaking with the staff, with the suggestions.
“That’s only a positive,” he mentioned.
Title ambitions
Several drivers have been linked with a transfer to switch Hamilton at Mercedes subsequent season.
Red Bull’s triple world champion Max Verstappen is reportedly prime of staff principal Toto Wolff’s want checklist.
Highly rated younger Italian F2 driver Kimi Antonelli and Mick Schumacher, son of seven-time champion Michael Schumacher, have additionally been talked about.
Russell mentioned he has “made my preference clear” to Mercedes chiefs and believes he can grow to be world champion with the staff.
“I believe in Mercedes, I believe in myself,” he mentioned.
“It’s a long journey but I believe we’ll all get our chance at one point.”
Mercedes have endured a poor start to the season, with Wolff saying “nobody feels positive” after each vehicles failed to complete the Australian Grand Prix two weeks in the past.
Hamilton had engine failure whereas Russell escaped unscathed from a heavy crash late within the race because the staff completed out of the factors for the primary time in 62 races.
Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso was penalised for his half within the crash after stewards discovered he had made a probably harmful transfer with Russell behind him.
Russell mentioned not punishing the Spaniard would have “opened up a can of worms for the rest of the season”.
“We’re role models to the younger generation of drivers, and I think it would have been the wrong message,” he mentioned.
