Former Formula 1 driver and current TV expert Karun Chandhok identified tensions at Mercedes after the Japanese Grand Prix. The two drivers, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, would always push each other, said the 39-year-old.
Fifth place (Lewis Hamilton) and seventh place (George Russell) at the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Japan were not enough for Mercedes’ expectations.
No wonder that the climate between the two drivers, who repeatedly met directly on the track in Suzuka, twice even wheel to wheel, is currently becoming a little rougher. Russell in particular was disappointed because his one-stop strategy didn’t work and he was even forced to let Hamilton past in the crucial phase. Now ex-F1 driver Karun Chandhok has identified tensions in the team-internal duel that have erupted.
“Hamilton is 75 points ahead of George, he made that clear pretty quickly,” said Chandhok on Sky. “He kept putting needles at George. There were a few moments like that where he got to him,” said the Indian, who himself was active in Formula 1 in 2010 and 2011.
Damon Hill, 1996 world champion, also believes that Russell in particular was “angry”. “You shouldn’t forget what happened in Singapore, where he lost a lot of points,” recalled Hill, recalling Russell’s departure into the boards shortly before the end, which put Hamilton, of all people, on the podium (third place).
The impetus for the unrest was, among other things, a duel on lap five, when Russell had actually already passed Hamilton, but the record champion countered. Further battles for position followed.
“Hey, do we want to fight against each other or against the others?” said the 25-year-old angrily. After the race he even said that they had “lost a little time fighting against each other.” Russell was actually asked to make room to let the faster Hamilton pass.
Formula 1: Russell defiant in Japan
Because the young Briton resisted, he was even admonished. “That’s an order, George. Let’s switch positions,” the radio said.
Shortly before the concrete swap of places, Russell is instructed again by his race engineer: “This is an instruction, we will [die Positionen] exchange.” Russell replied, slightly irritated: “Yes, I hear you! He’s not even close to me.”
But the change of place itself also caused a stir afterwards. Because Hamilton should actually try to keep his teammate in the DRS window so that he could hang on and defend against Carlos Sainz (Ferrari). Russel’s quick reaction: “He pushed me off the track earlier. That’s the least he can do.”
But the strategy didn’t work, also because the 25-year-old’s tires were worn out. Hamilton also emphasized this after the race. “It didn’t make any sense, it wasn’t a good idea at all,” the veteran said clearly. He had already expressed his displeasure on the radio. “We wasted all this time for no reason,” he sent to the pits.
Russell later admitted to Sky that the pressure was great. “The team radio is a kind of outlet to let out frustration,” he revealed.
Hamilton has Russell under control in the team’s internal duel this year after his younger compatriot took his edge last year and finished ahead of Hamilton in the drivers’ championship.