Russell’s Canadian Weekend
For the first time since last year’s Hungarian Grand Prix, the Mercedes she returned to pole position thanks to the best time of George Russell, identical to the one signed by Verstappen but still valid for the start from the first spot on the grid, as it was completed before the three-time Dutch world champion. In the race, then, Russell gave away the first podium of the season to the Brackley team, finishing at 3rd place and ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton.
The last winner in Mercedes
In the recent history of Mercedes, i.e. from 2022 to today, the British driver was the only one to have achieved a victory in the Brazilian GP of that year, his first in his career with the ‘three-pointed star’ after experience at Williams. Yet, according to the 1996 world champion Damon Hillthe team’s attention is not primarily directed at its driver #63.
Priority to other aspects
Speaking on the podcast of Sky Sports F1Hill is convinced that Mercedes is not supporting Russell enough, instead focusing on other elements: “Lewis is going to Ferrari next year, and George is trying to establish himself as a top driver – explained the 63-year-old after the Canadian GP – and I think he hasn’t succeeded yet because they continually talk about who his teammate will be next year, rather than George. I think Mercedes he should support him a little more, they should give him a little more confidence, and then maybe he won’t have to try so hard to prove his worth in the race, because it seems to me that he’s trying to compensate for things a little. I think he needs to calm down. He has the speed, the skills, he’s very intelligent. I’m sure he can give his best if they give him a little more comfort.”
Wolff’s radio team
In addition, Hill took as a point of reference the episode that occurred on lap 51, the moment of the race in which Russell lost second position to Norris after hitting the curb at Turn 8. At that point, the international director broadcast the British team radio, totally censored due to the nervous reaction of the driver and with a short response from the team principal Toto Wolff: “Concentrate George, concentrate”. Also in this regard, Hill expressed his thoughts: “I think it can be a little belittling if during the race your team leader tells you over the radio to concentrate. I think he knows what he’s doing.”
