© LAT Images for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd
George Russell finally puts a stop to ridiculous rumours that him and Lewis Hamilton have not been on speaking terms since the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix.
In one of his media appearances last month, George Russell was asked if he had spoken to Lewis Hamilton after he had replaced him at last year’s Sakhir Grand Prix. The young Briton admitted they haven’t been in contact since, which prompted some media outlets to run a story implying the two drivers are not on speaking terms.
There’s no doubt that these outlets have taken Russell’s statement completely out of context on purpose, to imply that Lewis has something against him for taking his spot at Mercedes, while he was sick with COVID-19. It was obvious in the original statement that there is nothing unusual about them not speaking after the race, as they have never been in regular contact.
Now, at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix press conference Russell has put those rumours to rest once and for all.
“I think the question towards me was did you speak to Lewis after Bahrain, and no, we didn’t speak, as we wouldn’t speak after any other race,” the Briton said.
“We are racing against each other. If we see each other in the paddock, we would speak. We’ve seen each other this year, a little fist bump along the way, and that’s the same as it’s been since 2019 and last year before the Bahrain Grand Prix.
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“My relationship towards Lewis is the same as it is with a lot of the drivers up and down the paddock, which is completely fine. So there’s no hard feelings and no issues between myself and Lewis.”
As a Mercedes junior driver Russell is expected to end up driving for the German team on a regular basis eventually. However, it’s not a given that Mercedes will take him on next year and, with his Williams contract expiring at the end of 2021, Russell was asked if he would consider leaving Mercedes behind and going to a completely different team in 2022.
“They have their faith in me, I have my faith in them, and time will tell.
“It’s been clear since day one since 2016 when I signed for Mercedes, do the job on the track and the opportunities will come, and that has been the case through GP3, F2, and then with my career in Formula 1.
“Obviously we signed the three-year deal [with Williams] back in 2018. Let’s wait and see.
“At the moment, that thought hasn’t even crossed my mind,” concluded Russell.
