On the very edge of the season in Bahrain, Hamilton still managed to finish third, but since then he has been worried and staring at the podium from a respectful distance. He finished eighth in Monaco and is losing 75 points to championship leader Max Verstappen from sixth place in the World Championship.
But what’s even worse for the first dark-skinned F1 driver in history is that he can’t even handle an internal team duel with Russell, who came from Williams after last year as a replacement for Valtteri Bottas. The 37-year-old Hamilton managed to beat his thirteen-year-younger partner and rival in one person only in the aforementioned Bahrain, and in the table both Mercedes drivers share 34 points after the third of the championship.
So who’s number one here? Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton (left) and George Russell.Photo: Nacho TwelveReuters
The position of both drivers therefore clearly leads to the assumption that Russell’s role in Mercedes is changing radically. “I think his results are a huge surprise to everyone. Especially in the perspective of the fact that Lewis was considered the best of the best, “said former Formula 1 team owner Eddie Jordan for Channel 4.
Former F1 rider and owner Eddie Jordan (right) did not miss the Monaco Grand Prix.Photo: XPB/Press Association ImagesProfimedia.cz
“But he’s not the boss now. Not only on the track, but also in Mercedes, where George took his position. And I think it will still be very interesting to see how Lewis can handle it, “added the former racer.
Hamilton had a record eighth World Championship title within reach last year, breaking away from the legendary Michael Schumacher and making him the most successful F1 driver of all time. However, the tense duel with Verstappen was decided only by the last race in Abu Dhabi with a controversial conclusion, in which the Dutch pilot took the lead in the last lap and won the title for himself for the first time.
Will Brit still have a chance to fight in record colors for a record? “If you look at Lewis’s results in more detail, you’ll find that the little things decide the success and failure. He stayed in Monaco for Fernando Alonso, he had contact with Esteban Ocon, he was slowed down by a red flag in qualifying … I believe that the pendulum of fortune will turn to Lewis’s side again, “said Mercedes boss Toto Wolff diplomatically.
Hamilton will have another opportunity to show his hunger for success in two weeks in Baku, where the Azerbaijan Grand Prix is being held.
