Ex-Formula 1 driver David Coulthard has suggested that George Russell will get “worn down” when he partners Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes next year.
However, the Scot has backed Russell to grow from the challenge of being team-mates with Hamilton, claiming he has not yet been challenged by any of his F1 team-mates.
In his three years in F1 with Williams, Russell has partnered Robert Kubica and Nicholas Latifi and has consistently out-performed the pair.
Russell will replace Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes next year, when the sport enters a new era, complete with revised technical regulations.
Speaking to Channel 4, Coulthard stated when it was suggested to him that the Hamilton and Russell relationship will “kick off” next year: “It will, absolutely.
“It will be the making of George up against the driver of a couple of generations.
“This is where George Russell becomes the making of a future world champion. Because he hasn’t been pushed by any of his team-mates, it will be very different with Lewis.
“In the beginning, he will just be young and full of energy, he will be fresh and then he will get worn down by the relentlessness of Lewis, and that’s the point at which he will grow as a man.”
Russell has been part of Mercedes’ junior programme since 2017, and has tested for the Brackley-based squad on a number of occasions.
The 23-year-old made his debut with the team at last year’s Sakhir Grand Prix, stepping in for Hamilton, who contracted Covid-19.
Russell was on course for a victory in Bahrain before a pit stop error and a slow puncture denied him his maiden win.
It depends on whether or not Mercedes will constantly sabotage Russell the way they have Bottas, to the point where he feels degraded and doesn’t even try anymore. Personally, I don’t think they will do this to Russell because Hamilton will be retiring soon, and they need someone to replace him. I think it will be quite the opposite of what Coulthard is saying. That is, Hamilton will be the one to get worn down which could lead to his retirement sooner rather than later. I mean, had Rosberg not retired, does anyone honestly think Hamilton would still be driving in 2021? I think not. I think chances are good that he would have lost the championship again in 2017 to Rosberg and retired then. If there is one thing that is certain with Hamilton, he is very bad at losing and easily loses motivation. We especially saw this at McLaren when Whimpmarsh was in charge of the team, after Uncle Ron and Daddy Hamilton were no longer watching over him to keep him motivated.
What an absolutely ridiculous fantasy you’ve constructed here.