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Tag: George Russell

  • Formula 1 | Mercedes Battle Boils Over in Qatar Grand Prix Heat

    Formula 1 | Mercedes Battle Boils Over in Qatar Grand Prix Heat

    The Qatar Grand Prix was plagued by extreme humidity, but it was the Mercedes camp that reached boiling point on Sunday.

    Lewis Hamilton and George Russell collided at the races’ first corner, an accident many felt inevitable.

    Several flashpoints have occurred in recent races between the pair as they battle to secure intra-team supremacy.

    Let’s explore the incident and the impact it may have on Hamilton’s fight for second in the Drivers’ Championship.

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    Teammate turmoil

    The potential for fireworks at the start of the Qatar Grand Prix was high with the Mercedes’ pair lining up second and third on the grid.

    However, the team appeared to ignite the situation further by opting to start Hamilton on the faster, soft tyres.

    The decision enabled the seven time champion to pull alongside his younger teammate off the line.

    Such was his speed, Hamilton found himself challenging for the lead into Turn 1.

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    Unfortunately, not for the first time this weekend, three into one did to go.

    Russell clipped his teammates’ rear wheel as he struggled for space between the Mercedes and Red Bull of Max Verstappen.

    The collision ripped the rear-right tyre from Hamilton’s car, resulting in a race-ending trip to the gravel.

    Radio exchanges that followed were heated as each driver clearly felt the other was to blame.

    Having reflected on this, Hamilton later apologised and took full responsibility for the clash that saw Mercedes fail to capitalise on a huge double podium opportunity.

    The blame game

    Despite Hamilton accepting blame for the Lap 1 incident, many thought Mercedes could have deployed team tactics to avoid a crash.

    By starting one car on softer rubber, it was key to ensure that driver made use of the pace advantage before the tyre life expired.

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    Therefore, had Mercedes requested that Russell did not fight Hamilton off the line, it would likely have benefitted both of their races.

    Related: Hamilton Keen To Continue Season Momentum

    Russell revealed in his post-race interview that this had been discussed before lights out.

    Team principal Toto Wolff has long operated a ‘let them race’ policy among his drivers.

    However, had Hamilton been allowed past Russell and challenged Verstappen for the lead, the Qatar Grand Prix story may have ended quite differently for Mercedes.

    Texas tension

    Both Hamilton and Russell settled their initial radio comments with a post-race handshake.

    There appears to be a level of respect between the British pair. However, the incident will likely be at the forefront of each driver’s mind if they are to do battle when F1 heads to Austin, Texas.

    Hamilton has history of teammate controversy at the circuit. The team will hope there is no repeat of his turn one clash with Nico Rosberg in 2016.

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    From a points perspective, no major ground was lost this weekend in either drivers’ or constructors’ standings.

    Mercedes maintained second place ahead of Ferrari, meanwhile, Hamilton lost bare minimal points to Red Bull’s Sergio Perez in his fight for second.

    As a result, Hamilton leaves Qatar still with a good chance of finishing runner up – an 11/2 bet picked out last week.

    As both Mercedes’ drivers search for a first win in 2023, the potential for further drama promises to continue.

     

    Click here to use a free bet for the United States Grand Prix 

    Claim odds of 11/2 with William Hill for Lewis Hamilton to finish second in the Drivers’ Championship. 

  • Formula 1 | Tensions Rise at Japanese Grand Prix for Mercedes

    Formula 1 | Tensions Rise at Japanese Grand Prix for Mercedes

    The Japanese Grand Prix saw tensions arise between Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton and George Russell as the pair’s battle for intra-team supremacy continued.

    One week on from Marina Bay where the pair were both in a position to clinch a first race victory of 2023 – while they fought for lower positions this weekend – their radio calls appeared higher in intensity. 

    The events have placed a spotlight on the driver’s relationship, as despite not being in attendance, Team principal Toto Wolff was forced to intervene during the race.

    What could the Silver Arrows’ all-Brit rivalry mean for the team going forward?

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    Japan jostle

    Race day at Suzuka saw Hamilton start ahead of Russell for the first time since before F1’s summer break. 

    With their rivals appearing to have an Asian edge, the teammates found themselves close together throughout.

    Coming close to contact when Russell passed Hamilton into the chicane five laps into the race, Hamilton responded immediately by picking up a slipstream down the pit straight and sweeping around the outside of turn one. 

    The move felt like something of a statement from the seven-time world champion who left Russell bemused by his straight-line speed advantage. 

    Battle lines would continue as Russell looked to capitalise on Hamilton’s mistake at the second Degner corner. 

    As a result, both drivers would run wide at Spoon Curve, as Russell voiced his frustration over team radio. 

    The incident was clearly in the front of the young Brit’s thinking when the pair met on track in the races’ closing stages. 

    Team order tension

    With Mercedes opting to split their race strategy, Hamilton would close on Russell with fresher tyres during the closing stages in Japan.

    Consequently, the pair were in danger of both losing a position to last week’s race winner Carlos Sainz.

    Hamilton found himself being held up by his teammate for the second week running, eventually prompting a call from the team to reverse the positions.

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    Russell had requested that Hamilton aid him by staying close in front to provide a tow and DRS, a trick used against him in Singapore by Sainz. 

    Related: Singapore Grand Prix Thrills as Red Bull Struggle

    However, Mercedes decided to overrule this request with Hamilton clearly feeling he had lost time and a potential shot at fourth place. 

    This is not the first time that Russell has attempted to assert his dominance by making unorthodox decisions and radio calls.

    Zandvoort 2021 saw the Kings Lynn driver pit for fresh tyres, leaving Hamilton to defend the lead on worn rubber and eventually overtaking him on track.  

    Mercedes’ hope to challenge for race wins again next season but in-team issues might yet intervene.

    Future fallout

    In-house friction is no strange bedfellow to Mercedes in the past, and it could threaten to derail team progress.

    Between 2023-2016, a strong dynamic between Hamilton and former teammate Nico Rosberg ended in acrimony as the two battled for the title.  

    As tensions boiled, friends became foes.

    With a still green Russell looking to make his mark, whilst also seeking to secure his future as team leader, will history repeat itself? 

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    Hamilton himself will be determined to re-claim the championship that he and many others felt was stolen from him in 2021.

    For now, harmony remains, but as season reaches its climax over the coming weeks, the gloves at Mercedes could yet come off.

     

    Click here for a free bet to use when F1 resumes for the Qatar GP in two weeks time. 

    Claim odds of 33/1 for Lewis Hamilton to clinch a race win in 2023 with William Hill.

     

    Next: Williams’ Albon Thriving in Team Leader Role

  • Formula 1 | Singapore Grand Prix Thrills as Red Bull Struggle

    Formula 1 | Singapore Grand Prix Thrills as Red Bull Struggle

    The Singapore Grand Prix was a reminder of the excitement Formula 1 can deliver when the playing field is leveled for Red Bull Racing.

    Was Team principle Christian Horner correct in his insistence that FIA’s clampdown on flexible bodywork had no impact to the team’s performance this weekend? It appears suspicious that such a dramatic decline in pace should come directly following this rule change. Nevertheless, fans were treated to a rare five-car battle for the lead in Sunday’s thriller, nearer to expectations heading into the season. 

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    Red Bull’s rotten week

    It’s fair to say, it was a week to forget for Red Bull, both on and off track. Even before arriving at Marina Bay, the Milton Keynes outfit dominated the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Following Dr. Helmut Marko’s incendiary comments, Red Bull’s Advisor to the Team appeared to blame Sergio Perez’ poor performances on his ethnicity. The FIA were under heavy pressure to act throughout the week, and finally reprimanded the 80-year-old. However, many felt his punishment lacked severity.

    Ryanair Join Debate Surrounding Helmut Marko On Social Media

    Red Bull have been untouchable throughout 2023, but sentiment of this kind threatens to divert attention away from their stellar season. 

    No flexi-wings, no pace

    Christian Horner was staunch in defence of his team’s compliance with F1 rules this weekend. This came following an FIA technical directive ahead of the Singapore to control the flexibility of aerodynamic parts. Horner’s comments were, by and large, echoed by team principles across the paddock.

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    Many appeared to dismiss the idea that Red Bull could suffer such a sudden decline following a small rule tweak. However, fans can be forgiven for thinking the team have been pegged back judging by their weekend performance.

    Related: Relentless Verstappen Bent On Season Dominance

    After both cars failed to make Q3 after electing not to pit under an early safety car, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez found themselves tumbling down the order. Remarkably, Singapore was the first time the Dutchman has been passed on track this season. The true impact of the rule change on Red Bull’s performance won’t be measured until Japan next weekend. Regardless, the Austrian manufacturer can still clinch their second consecutive constructors title at Suzuka.

    Rivals’ gain

    As the top dogs floundered, the chasing pack wasted no time in capitalising. Following a Virtual Safety Car period, Sunday’s race exploded into life, prompting Mercedes to pit both their cars with fresh tyres. As the pressure piled on Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, both George Russell and Lewis Hamilton charged toward the leaders, with the latter the faster of the pair.

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    As Russell struggled to make progress behind Lando Norris, Hamilton was vocal on the radio in his attempts to hurry his teammate along. Pressures of the seven-time champion then saw Russell eventually crash on worn tires during the final lap, after clipping a wall. Sainz cruised home to victory ahead of Norris, as Hamilton trundled home to claim a 196th career podium. Mercedes are now approaching their ideal set-up; inevitably, disharmony between the Brit duo could now appear. The relationship may become truly tested if wins become a more frequent possibility.

     

    Click here for a free bet on Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix.

    Claim odds of 16/1 with William Hill for Carlos Sainz to repeat his Singapore victory at Suzuka.

     

    Next: Williams’ Albon Thriving In Team Leader Role