Former NASCAR driver Danica Patrick has described George Russell’s partnership with seven-time Formula 1 world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton as a “positive one”.
Both British drivers have been teammates at Mercedes since 2022 when Russell replaced Valtteri Bottas, Hamilton’s teammate for four years.
Russell recorded Mercedes’ only race win of 2022 at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in what was a season of struggles for the German manufacturer. The 25-year-old also finished ahead of Hamilton in the driver’s championship by 35 points.
Mercedes’ struggles have continued in 2023 with Russell outqualifying Hamilton 4-1 after five races. Despite Hamilton being behind Russell, Patrick says both drivers complement each with similar competitive spirit and driving styles.
“What kind of person he is? He’s willing to take chances and risks. He’s confident in himself,” Patrick was quoted saying in Crash.net. “We’ve seen that last year, my favourite move, he went to slick tyres early in Montreal. It’s in his personality.
“As a teammate? I see someone who’s really positive. Lewis has won so many championships, he’s used to winning, George doesn’t have that. It’s great to have a guy like George around who is so positive.
“It’s an interesting dynamic in F1 – there’s two of you, you’ve got to work together, but there is so much competition. Teammates that work well will find an advantage in moving the car forwards.
“Also, teammates with similar driving styles – can be really helpful. Different styles result in different cars.”
Three weeks. Three races. ???? pic.twitter.com/o1OkqnWba1
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) May 15, 2023
Hamilton currently heads Russell by 14 points in the 2023 drivers’ championship, in fourth place while the latter sits two places down in sixth.
The F1 grid will prepare for a triple header of races that begins with the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix this weekend.
