Lewis Hamilton takes SLY dig at George Russell after Japanese GP battle

Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell — Photo: © LAT Images

Japanese Grand Prix

Hamilton takes SLY dig at Russell after Japanese GP battle

Russell was not happy with his team-mate after the race

Sam Cook Digital Journalist

Sports Journalist who has been covering motorsport since 2023

Sunday 24 September 2023 21:42

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Lewis Hamilton has agreed with George Russell that Mercedes' strategy at the Japanese Grand Prix was below-par, before claiming that he 'isn't battling' with his team-mate in the championship.

The pair were embroiled in a great on-track battle during the race, which saw multiple switches of position and, at times, became a little heated.

This was especially true when Hamilton appeared to run Russell off the track as the pair were squabbling for sixth and seventh position near the start of the race.

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When trying to better the overall team result, Mercedes decided to put Russell onto a one-stop strategy, getting him out the way of his team-mate, and allowing him to go on to get himself in amongst the McLarens and Ferraris.

Hamilton comes back to bite Russell

Neither Mercedes driver were particularly happy with the team after the race

As the laps went on by, Russell's tyres began to give up the ghost, allowing multiple cars to pass him and, near the end of the race, the pair found themselves once again squabbling for position.

Mercedes decided it would be best to allow Hamilton to pass Russell as the seven-time world champion was on fresher tyres, and more capable of battling with the Ferraris.

The team arguably left it too late, however, and by the time they switched the cars, Carlos Sainz was all over the back of Russell.

Russell lost out, eventually finishing seventh whilst Hamilton took home fifth to extend his lead over his team-mate in the standings.

“It wasn’t the perfect day for the team," he told Sky Sports Italia. "I think we should’ve swapped positions if we wanted to win against Ferrari. George is quite far behind me in the championship, so I’m not battling him. We should’ve worked together to get more points.”