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George Russell reflects on the challenge of being Lewis Hamilton’s F1 teammate – and how he prepared for it
George Russell shared how advice from his psychologist aided him in handling the pressure of being Lewis Hamilton’s teammate at Mercedes F1. During his three-year tenure as Hamilton’s teammate, Russell surpassed the seven-time world champion in the 2022 and 2024 seasons, notably excelling in their final season together by winning the qualifying head-to-head 19-5. Despite Hamilton’s transfer to Ferrari, Russell has maintained and even improved his performance, potentially emerging as the top-performing driver in 2025 with consistent speed displayed in the first 14 races of the season. Prior to his move to Mercedes, Russell spent three years with Williams, feeling prepared for the transition after an impressive stand-in performance at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix where he outperformed Valtteri Bottas, ultimately missing victory due to a pit lane tire mix-up and a late-race puncture. Emphasizing psychological preparedness, Russell detailed dialogues with his psychologist regarding competing alongside Hamilton, highlighting the importance of focusing on his own performance and destiny, regardless of his teammate’s stature or achievements.
