Rumors of Lewis Hamilton retiring from Mercedes at the end of the season have been spread far and wide. With Hamilton yet to put pen to paper on a Mercedes contract, the spotlight is on the underperforming 8-time champions. However, while nothing is confirmed, Russell makes his stance clear on a future teammate.
Hamilton and Mercedes have reached an unusual impasse. The team has not listened to their loyal driver, producing yet another underperforming car in Hamilton’s quest for the 8th title. Further, the otherwise positive Hamilton has also openly criticized his team on multiple occasions- and we’re only three races into the season.
Clearly, there is tension building up in the Mercedes camp, but should Hamilton hang up his helmet, the obvious question remains: who will ever replace him?
George Russell answers the looming Lewis Hamilton question
Sitting down for a conference, Russell was asked the question buzzing in everyone’s minds. Giving his personal opinion on who he’d want as a teammate, Russell started, “To be honest I really don’t care.”
With his two-year partnership with Hamilton speaking, Russell sweetly said, “If you’ve been teammates with Lewis then there’s nobody who would be a faster, more challenging teammate than him so… anyone.”
And that is a simple fact. No matter who comes, it will be big boots to fill. It would be impossible to replicate the gaping hold Hamilton leaves should he decide to leave the team.
Toto Wolff worried about Hamilton retirement
Mercedes‘ lackluster performance has made Hamilton’s future a hot topic in the 2023 season. Rumors abound that the seven-time world champion might choose to call it quits and retire from the sport altogether, even though he yearns for an eighth championship title that has eluded him thus far.
On the possibility of Hamilton walking away, the team principal and his close friend Toto Wolff refused to believe it. “I don’t think that he’s at that stage but I would have no grouch if that happens in a year or two.”
Further, he believes Hamilton will not turn his back on Mercedes. “We trust each other, we’ve formed a great bond among each other, we have no reason to doubt each other even though this is a difficult spell.”
Thus, the question remains, who will ever take this spot, or will this spot even open up at Mercedes? A lot remains unanswered, but only one person holds the answer.
