P1racenews AI automatic summary:
George Russell believes Lewis Hamilton’s impending departure from Mercedes could propel the team forwards.
George Russell believes Lewis Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes will bring a “fresh start” and “ignite a new spark” for the team. Hamilton’s decision to leave for Ferrari in 2025 marked the end of their successful driver-team partnership, with Hamilton winning 82 of his 103 grands prix for Mercedes. Despite Mercedes’ struggles in the ground-effects era, Russell joined the team as Hamilton’s teammate in 2022 and secured their only victory in Sao Paulo in 2022. Russell has shown strong performance against Hamilton, leading in qualifying and races, positioning him as a potential successor to lead the team. With significant technical changes and adjustments underway at Mercedes, Russell believes adaptation and evolution are key for success in the upcoming season. He emphasized the importance of Hamilton’s timely departure, ensuring a smoother transition for the team.
