George Russell to Mercedes: What to expect?
George Russell to Mercedes: What to expect?
By Oli Dickson Jefford
After months of speculation, last week it finally became official: George Russell will drive for Mercedes next season.
Russell, who turns 24 shortly before the next campaign, is a leading driver of his generation and has excelled despite driving in a far-from-perfect Williams.
As the former F2 and F3 champion heads to a new car next year, what can we expect from him at the team that has dominated over the past decade?
Early nerves
Despite driving in a car far from Championship contention, Russell has a high profile in the UK and abroad thanks to several stellar performances.
There was huge clamour from all areas for the move to Mercedes to go ahead, and now all eyes will be on how he fares.
Based on what we’ve seen in recent seasons with drivers stepping up to better teams, it could be tough.
Red Bull have seen Daniil Kvyat, Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon struggle after being brought in, with the experienced Sergio Pérez not having an easy time this season either.
Getting to grips with a new car is tricky and though Russell has experience at Mercedes, having filled in for Lewis Hamilton last season, it might take some time to settle.
Relationship with Lewis Hamilton
That’s what awaits Russell when he arrives to join Hamilton, a seven-time champion who could hold eight titles by then.
Team relationships are incredibly important to Hamilton, who praised Valtteri Bottas as his best teammate in F1 when it was confirmed the Finn was heading to Alfa Romeo in 2022.
His friendship with Nico Rosberg fell apart during the tumultuous 2016 campaign and he’ll hope to avoid similar issues with Russell.
There is a sense that Russell will support Hamilton next season, before being allowed to full reign in the car.
However the 23-year-old’s ambition is unquestionable, and he will back himself to go toe-to-toe with Hamilton.
Hamilton did just that when entering F1 in 2007, rivalling reigning champion Fernando Alonso at McLaren to such an extent that both men just missed out on the title behind Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff will want to avoid that and the Hamilton-Rosberg drama from five years ago, and will be eager to ensure the two have a solid relationship.
No more Mr. Saturday
Russell has developed the nickname ‘Mr Saturday,’ developing a tendency to perform well in qualifying but not always backing that up come raceday.
That is largely due to his car, and it is something that he will want to shake off completely in 2022.
A string of strong race performances has started to put this nickname to bed.
However, he’ll be keen to show in a strong car just how adept he is at not only qualifying, but racing as well.
A potential title challenge
If you are driving in a Mercedes, you are likely going to be a title contender.
And, if Russell settles quickly, the opportunity to become world champion is there.
It will be tough, not only because Hamilton is his teammate.
Max Verstappen will likely contend again, and could be the reigning champion if he holds onto his lead in this year’s title race.
Elsewhere the rule changes that will come in for the start of 2022 will likely mean the season is more competitive, with McLaren and Ferrari already showing some promise this year.
Whatever happens, it will be fascinating to see how Russell fares after earning his dream move.
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