Lewis Hamilton cools Mercedes fears of Nico Rosberg repeat with George Russell

Mercedes

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Hamilton cools Mercedes fears of Rosberg repeat with Russell

Hamilton and Rosberg endured a gradually worsening relationship from 2013-16

Sam Hall

Tuesday 21 September 2021 05:00

Lewis Hamilton believes Mercedes' experience of managing his previously fractious relationship with Nico Rosberg will help it navigate a similar situation should it occur with George Russell.

Earlier in September, Russell was announced as Hamilton's sixth F1 team-mate, with the Briton to replace Valtteri Bottas at the end of the year.

Although the relationship between Hamilton and Bottas has been a harmonious one, rarely have they fought each other for race wins and never has there been a serious title battle between the two.

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In contrast, a championship scrap between Hamilton and Rosberg twice went down to the final race of the year.

Asked if this level of disharmony could be avoided between two drivers of equal ability, Hamilton said: "I don't know. History has shown that it can and history has shown that it can't.

"It is different in each team, it is ultimately hard to manage.

"It is quite a strange sport where it is a team sport but it is also an individual sport so you have got those two championships and individually you want to finish ahead but at the same time, you have got to do the job to get the team ahead.

"It is a difficult one to navigate through but I would like to think we have experienced it and learnt from it and therefore should be pretty well set moving forwards."

Hamilton reveals minimal input into Mercedes' Russell decision

In the lead up to the announcement of Russell's signing, it was rumoured Hamilton could veto the deal as retaining Bottas as a team-mate was his favoured option.

Dismissing such talk, Hamilton insisted he provided "not really much input to be honest".

The seven-time champion added. "Toto [Wolff] and I talk, we are very much team-mates and we discuss everything. We work together as a team in terms of how we navigate moving forwards.

"He asked me what I thought of George, I naturally gave positive feedback. He asked me how I felt about Valtteri and I did the same.

"At the end of the day it is his and the board's decision and I think you have seen how positive it has been."