Russell has no probability of beating Hamilton, claims former Mercedes mate Bottas

GEORGE RUSSELL has been warned he has NO probability of beating Lewis Hamilton.

Russell, 24, is Hamilton’s new team-mate at Mercedes this season after spending three years on mortgage at Williams.

The racer from King’s Lynn is extremely rated by Merc chiefs.

He got here near profitable on his debut for the staff when he stood in for Covid-struck Hamilton on the Bahrain GP in 2020.

However Hamilton’s former team-mate Valtteri Bottas says Britain’s seven-time world champion is just unbeatable in the identical automobile.

Bottas — who will now drive for Alfa Romeo after 5 years with Mercedes — advised SunSport: “I don’t see anybody else beating Lewis within the close to future in the identical equipment.

“George will alter properly as a result of he has been with Mercedes for some years.

“However beating Lewis is just not straightforward. I’ve skilled that. It’s his consistency in his performances.

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“Each driver has kind that could be a little bit up and down, however his baseline for efficiency is simply so excessive.

“Even when he has a foul day it isn’t too unhealthy. It’s his consistency over the season.

“One other of his key strengths is his means to adapt to completely different circumstances, the talent to react to modifications, be it set-up or no matter.

“This and his race-craft. His tyre administration is a particular talent and all this stuff are mixed with expertise.

“And he places within the work, which not many individuals see, so he’s onerous to beat.

“I might be proud that on my day, I’ve been capable of beat him. However not persistently sufficient to beat him over a season.”

Bottas’ departure from Mercedes got here towards the backdrop of the controversy in Abu Dhabi, when Hamilton was robbed of one other championship after the race director broke the foundations.

The Finn was handled to a guard of honour when he left the staff’s Brackley HQ for the ultimate time.

He left on good phrases as soon as he knew Merc have been lining up Russell as his substitute — then managed to safe himself a multi-year deal at Alfa Romeo.

Bottas, 32 — as soon as dubbed as the proper “wingman” to Hamilton, 37, by boss Toto Wolff — is now relishing his position as his new staff’s No 1 driver, alongside rookie Guanyu Zhou, 22.

Bottas added: “After I joined Mercedes, it was tough for me to take the lead due to Lewis being there.

“With him being within the staff, it was at all times tough for me to take that lead position.

“So now it’s completely different and a recent begin for me — and having that lead position is an effective feeling.

“Part of me is at all times going to overlook working at Mercedes. Now I’ve began wanting again at my time there, I’ve tried to take all of the optimistic moments we had.

“There have been nice moments and I loved working with Lewis and Toto, however I’m additionally actually excited for my new chapter.

“I’m certain with the expertise I’ve with Williams and after 5 years at Mercedes, I  will be capable to assist the staff transfer ahead.

“I really feel actually comfy with my position. Sure, there’s a accountability and I’ve commitments to the staff, however it’s thrilling.”

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