The hierarchy between Lewis Hamilton and George Russell at Mercedes is evident to the F1 analyst for Sky Sports.
After another altercation between Hamilton and Russell at the Japanese Grand Prix, Sky F1 analyst Anthony Davidson made a judgment about the balance of power at Mercedes.
According to Anthony Davidson, Lewis Hamilton’s backup at Mercedes is George Russell.
The British teammates’ second season together is about to come to an end.
The seven-time world champion was outscored by Russell by 35 points the previous year, but this time around, Russell has been thoroughly outclassed.
Only the Red Bull racers are ahead of Hamilton in the drivers’ championship, who is third with a 75-point lead over the other Mercedes.
With Sergio Perez’s struggles creating a window for a challenge to Max Verstappen’s championship, he is now only 33 points behind Sergio Perez.
The era of designated lead drivers for Formula 1 teams is over.
Every single one of them, but especially the best teams, insists that their drivers be given equal opportunities whenever possible, and Mercedes is no different.
However, Sky Sports analyst Davidson is certain that Hamilton is still in charge even though he isn’t the official top dog.
The former Super Aguri driver said on the Sky Sports F1 podcast, “There’s definitely a hierarchy in that team, and rightfully so.”.
Lewis, a seven-time world champion, has earned that position on the team, and George cannot contest that.
In those instances where George has the advantage of speed over Lewis to really take the fight to him, George is still the understudy and doing a great job.
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For the most part, the drivers have gotten along well. But there have been heated moments on the track, most recently at the Japanese Grand Prix last Sunday when Russell lost his cool when told to let his teammate pass.
After that, he was much more collected and accepting of the choice when addressing the media. But Davidson suspects that an increase in accidents involving the two Mercedes drivers may be related to that impulsiveness behind the wheel.
He continued, “It’s funny to watch him doing it in such a ‘George Russell’ manner.
I’m confident that at any moment, he will be fuming and steaming inside the car, trying to get by.
“That’s why we see the close calls, the drivers almost exchanging blows, almost making contact.
He is a good boy on the radio, though.
Taking it is he. He sounds distinctly British in his response.
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