close global

Welcome to GPFans

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

  • NL
  • GB
  • IT
  • ES-MX
  • US
  • GB

Are you a F1 Fan? Follow GP Fans

Edition

NL GB IT ES-MX US
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell of Mercedes

Russell dismisses Hamilton 'weight' suggestion

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

Russell dismisses Hamilton 'weight' suggestion

Russell feels no added pressure against the seven-time champion

Ian Parkes
Google Make us your Google favorite

Additional reporting by Ewan Gale

George Russell has insisted there is no added pressure in fighting Lewis Hamilton in equal machinery at Mercedes.

The Briton joined seven-time champion Hamilton at Mercedes after spending three years learning in F1 at the back of the grid with Williams.

The past campaign was a season to remember for Russell, who strung together consecutive top-five finishes before the British Grand Prix despite the porpoising and bouncing issues that plagued the W13.

Russell then went on to clinch the Silver Arrows' only pole position in Hungary and win in Brazil, both of which were his first in F1.

The 24-year-old eventually finished fourth in the drivers' standings, ahead of Ferrari's Carlos Sainz and team-mate Hamilton, who was 35 points adrift.

Asked if he had felt a weight of pressure in being directly squared up against Hamilton, speaking in an end-of-season interview, Russell told GPFans: “No, I don't feel a weight, to be honest.

READ MORE...Horner hits Mercedes with "hangover" claim

“When you grow up, you have pressures throughout your whole career.

"When I was in go-karting, Formula 4, Formula 3, Formula 2, at Williams, the pressure was to perform in Formula 1 to ultimately try and get to Mercedes.

“Ultimately, the pressure is still there. It's no more, no less, because every year is the most important year of your life.

"So, I'm definitely enjoying this opportunity and excited to see what the future holds.”

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

George Russell announces major contract news: 'I can confirm 100 percent'

George Russell announces major contract news: 'I can confirm 100 percent'

  • 17 minutes ago
Max Verstappen 'in secret talks with McLaren' about stunning F1 team switch

Max Verstappen 'in secret talks with McLaren' about stunning F1 team switch

  • 1 hour ago
Lewis Hamilton reveals 'private' details of F1 injury agony

Lewis Hamilton reveals 'private' details of F1 injury agony

  • 2 hours ago
FIA confirms it will review Red Bull complaint over controversial upgrades decision

FIA confirms it will review Red Bull complaint over controversial upgrades decision

  • 3 hours ago
Lewis Hamilton says Ferrari finally found their 'North Star' and F1 title race is on

Lewis Hamilton says Ferrari finally found their 'North Star' and F1 title race is on

  • Today 08:00
F1 News Today: Red Bull risk it all for Verstappen as Mercedes set to announce huge driver move

F1 News Today: Red Bull risk it all for Verstappen as Mercedes set to announce huge driver move

  • Today 07:15

Just in

11:57
George Russell announces major contract news: 'I can confirm 100 percent'
10:57
Max Verstappen 'in secret talks with McLaren' about stunning F1 team switch
09:30
Lewis Hamilton reveals 'private' details of F1 injury agony
08:45
FIA confirms it will review Red Bull complaint over controversial upgrades decision
08:00
Lewis Hamilton says Ferrari finally found their 'North Star' and F1 title race is on
F1 news

Recommended by the editors

FIA confirms it will review Red Bull complaint over controversial upgrades decision Red Bull

FIA confirms it will review Red Bull complaint over controversial upgrades decision

3 hours ago
Red Bull have already 'found their next Max Verstappen' Red Bull

Red Bull have already 'found their next Max Verstappen'

Yesterday 22:28
Mercedes 'to announce' F1 driver move which triggers big Max Verstappen decision Mercedes

Mercedes 'to announce' F1 driver move which triggers big Max Verstappen decision

Yesterday 20:34
Sky F1 issue official statement after presenter makes shock exit F1 on TV

Sky F1 issue official statement after presenter makes shock exit

Yesterday 18:44
Ontdek het op Google Play
x