© Sebastian Kawka for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix ltd.
George Russell says there is “no way” Lewis Hamilton “would have left” Mercedes if the team had performed back then like it is performing right now.
Lewis Hamilton shocked the Formula 1 world ahead of the 2024 season, with his decision to leave Mercedes at the end of 2024, to go to Ferrari.
However, now that Mercedes seems to have come to grips with its once difficult car, George Russell says he believes Lewis would have stayed if the team had been performing back then like it’s performing right now.
“I don’t think he would have left if the team was performing like this, no way he would have left, for sure not,” the Briton told Reuters.
“For 2026 the PU [power unit]’s looking really strong and everything we’re doing with the fuels is looking great and there’s a lot of optimism for us over the next couple of years.
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“As tough as these last few years have been, it really feels like we’ve got the momentum with us now.”
However, George understands why Lewis felt the need to make a change and take on new challenges.
“I think everybody wants change at some point. He’s been here 12 years now, he’s achieved so much with the team. I think for him it’s exciting to have that change.
“But of course if the team you’re currently with are winning races and everything is looking super great for the future, you just want to be in the fastest car possible and it doesn’t matter what colour that is,” Russell concluded.
