Lewis Hamilton backs George Russell to "bring the heat" to Mercedes

Russell and Hamilton at Zandvoort — Photo: © LAT Images

Italian Grand Prix

Hamilton backs Russell to "bring the heat" to Mercedes

Russell will join Hamilton at Mercedes from 2022 onwards

Ian Parkes & Ewan Gale

Thursday 9 September 2021 19:32

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Lewis Hamilton is expecting George Russell to "bring the heat" to Mercedes next season.

On Tuesday, Russell was confirmed as Hamilton's team-mate, bringing an end to the seven-time champion's five-year partnership with Valtteri Bottas.

The Williams driver has been touted as a future world champion and asked if he has had the chance to look at Russell's strengths, Hamilton replied: "No. I have watched George come through Formula 3, GP2 [Formula 2] and of course, I have watched a lot of the racing he has done, moves he has done.

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"There is no doubt that he is incredibly talented. I have not looked into detail where he is weak, it is not something I put energy towards.

"I just know he is going to get stronger, even in the next nine races and next year again, he will be bringing the heat for sure."

Russell's "fresh blood" will "energise" Mercedes

Hamilton will enter his 16th season of F1 racing next year, and his 10th with Mercedes.

With Russell altering the status quo, Hamilton is expecting Mercedes to be invigorated by the fresh face at the factories at Brackley and Brixworh.

"Naturally, he is a part of that younger group," added Hamilton. "I think the young talent that is coming through is so great for the sport and is the future of the sport.

"I think new, fresh blood in our team is going to be great, obviously because I am the oldie there and it will energise the whole team.

"They have a new youngster coming through who is super hungry, driven and will be pushing the team forwards."