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Safety Car during the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi

Mercedes "motivation and fire" fuelled by Abu Dhabi controversy - Russell

Safety Car during the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi — Photo: © LAT Images
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Mercedes "motivation and fire" fuelled by Abu Dhabi controversy - Russell

Hamilton missed out on a record-breaking eighth F1 title in Abu Dhabi

George Russell has revealed the "motivation and fire" possessed by Mercedes to strike back after the events of last year's season finale in Abu Dhabi.

Lewis Hamilton controversially missed out on the world championship to Max Verstappen after the Red Bull driver made the most of a late safety car period, in which the FIA's processes have been brought into question, to overtake his rival on the final lap of the race.

It took team principal Toto Wolff almost a week to break his silence, whilst Hamilton himself remained silent until the beginning of February, with the Austrian explaining the pair were "disillusioned" with the events that took place.

An FIA inquiry into the scenario remains in focus, with the future of race director Michael Masi still uncertain just over a month before the first race of the season.

Speaking for the first time as a Mercedes driver, Russell explained: "Because I have spent so much time with the team prior to joining Williams in Formula 1 as a junior driver, I feel like I know everybody so well already.

"So we are just straight to business on the important bits and bobs to understand the new car, to understand the challenges and to try to prepare the best as possible for the season ahead.

"Following the conclusion of last year, there is so much motivation and fire in the whole factory to bounce back and that is incredible for me to see."

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