Hamilton warned "partially cut diamond" Russell is 'unbreakable'

Lewis Hamilton has been warned to expect an 'unbreakable' George Russell when the two join forces as Mercedes F1 team-mates this season.

After a three-year spell with Williams, Russell was finally promoted to Mercedes as a replacement for Valtteri Bottas who has joined Alfa Romeo.

Russell has gained valuable experience during his time with the back-of-the-grid team, leading Williams CEO and team principal Jost Capito to claim the 23-year-old is "no longer a rough diamond, but a partially cut diamond".

Capito, speaking in an interview with RTL, feels there is so much potential with Russell that "he can certainly develop and improve again at Mercedes".

But knowing the young Briton, Capito feels he certainly has what it takes to take on Hamilton at the same team.

"With his strong nerves, he won't let himself be impressed, even if he isn't at the same level at the beginning of the season," assessed Capito.

"But he is so strong, he develops, grows with the challenge and does not break.

"I think when he gets in the car for the first time, he will be absolutely great."

Mercedes not new to Russell

That will be due to Russell's "meticulous" preparation, and also the fact he has long been a part of the Mercedes team so understands how it operates

"He's also someone who's very good at the simulator and uses it very well to develop, and he's been in the Mercedes simulator for a while now, too," added Capito.

"He won't get in the car and it's completely new to him. He will have driven thousands of kilometres in this car in the simulator."

Which is why Hamilton cannot underestimate Russell.

"He can't sit down and say 'I'm sure I can beat him from the start'," said Capito.

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