Lewis Hamilton makes George Russell’s ‘tricky’ Mercedes claim in Drive to Survive look awkward

Follow us on Google Discover

George Russell’s fears have now come to life after the Netflix series ‘Drive to Survive’ revealed the Mercedes driver’s concerns about Lewis Hamilton ever going to Ferrari.

The Silver Arrows star opened up on his apprehensions about Hamilton possibly quitting the Brackley outfit whilst Mercedes negotiated a new contract with the 39-year-old last year. His deal was set to lapse after the 2023 season, but Hamilton would agree to stay through 2025.

Mercedes also gave Russell a new contract for the 2024 and 2025 seasons when Hamilton committed his future. But the terms Hamilton signed last August meant little in the long run as he triggered a release clause this February after agreeing a deal with Ferrari for next year.

Lewis Hamilton has now quit Mercedes to join Ferrari from 2025

The Scuderia stunned the Formula 1 world at the start of February after signing Hamilton to replace Carlos Sainz in 2025. Hamilton has agreed a multi-year deal to move to Maranello as Charles Leclerc’s teammate. While Mercedes are now left to search for a possible successor.

Hamilton has been in Brackley since 2013 after shocking the F1 world by quitting McLaren to join Mercedes. He was a one-time world champion with the Woking team, who also brought him into F1 as a rookie in 2007. But the Briton’s decision to quit McLaren has vastly paid off.

Mercedes’ dominance from the start of Formula 1’s turbo-hybrid power unit era in 2014 saw Hamilton win six further titles through 2020. He has also won 82 of a record 103 Grand Prix, taken 78 of a record 104 pole positions and stood on 148 of a record 197 podiums for them.

Drive to Survive reveals George Russell’s ‘tricky’ Lewis Hamilton fears

Mercedes potentially losing a driver of Hamilton’s skill last year concerned Russell amid the team’s first winless season since 2011. The 26-year-old told Netflix in episode six for season six of ‘Drive to Survive’ that Hamilton leaving in 2023 would put Mercedes in a ‘tricky spot’.

“With Lewis, if he were to leave, that would put Mercedes in a bit of a tricky spot because it would almost look like he’s lost faith in the team,” Russell conceded.

Now, Russell’s fears have come to life after Hamilton quit Mercedes to sign with Ferrari from 2025. The 39-year-old decided to escape the contract he agreed in Brackley in August after just five full months. In that time, Hamilton only stood on the podium at just two Grand Prix.