George Russell and Lewis Hamilton have officially committed to Mercedes until the end of the 2025 season.
This joint announcement, made during the Italian Grand Prix weekend, not only solidifies the team’s lineup but also signifies a crucial show of support during a period of performance challenges.
Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time World Champion, last tasted victory nearly two years ago, with Mercedes struggling to maintain its dominant presence at the forefront of the sport since the start of the previous season.
Despite these challenges, Hamilton’s unwavering faith in the Brackley-based team shines through his contract extension.
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George Russell, who joined Mercedes during a time when the team’s form began to wane after a remarkable streak of title victories from 2014 to 2021, expressed his confidence in the team’s future.
Russell noted that the continuity in the driver lineup was crucial in preserving the team’s dynamic stability.
“It’s extremely important to continue with the two of us with the relationship we have,” Russell emphasised.
“You sometimes see when there’s a change of driver pairing, the dynamic shifts slightly and it can upset a few things internally.”
Russell further highlighted the positive competition between him and Hamilton, underlining how they push each other in the same direction and provide valuable feedback to the design team.
This synergy has been instrumental in Mercedes’ Formula 1 journey.
“For me to see Lewis continuing, it’s so important because it shows the belief he’s got in the team as well,” Russell remarked, acknowledging Hamilton’s contribution to the team’s morale.
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“I’ve got the belief in the team. But this is a guy who’s won 100 races, he doesn’t need to continue, he could happily hang his boots up with everything he’s achieved, but he wouldn’t stay if he didn’t believe that the team was capable of winning again.”
This renewed commitment from Hamilton, who could have chosen to retire on a high note, speaks volumes about his confidence in Mercedes’ ability to reclaim its winning ways.
It sends a powerful message to the entire Mercedes ecosystem, from factory workers to partners, that the team remains resolute in its pursuit of excellence.