Lewis Hamilton has extended his support to George Russell following the young Mercedes driver’s last-lap crash at the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix.
Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, described Russell’s performance as “phenomenal” and offered mentorship to help the promising talent further develop.
George Russell, equipped with fresh tires, was on a thrilling pursuit of second-placed Lando Norris and race leader Carlos Sainz in the closing stages of the Singapore Grand Prix.
However, his quest for victory came to a heart-wrenching end as he collided with the barriers on the final lap, leaving him visibly emotional and feeling like he had let himself and the team down.
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Despite the unfortunate outcome, Lewis Hamilton, who ultimately inherited the final spot on the podium, had nothing but praise for Russell’s performance throughout the weekend.
Hamilton emphasised the fine margins in Formula 1 racing, stating, “We are all trying to be millimetre perfect out there and it’s very, very easy to make mistakes.
“It’s easy for any of us, being in the position George was in.”
Highlighting Russell’s growth and potential, Hamilton expressed his willingness to assist his younger compatriot in his racing journey, saying:
“He had been driving phenomenal all weekend, so it was really unfortunate for him, last lap, to finish that way.
“But he continues to grow and improve.
“I know that he will keep getting stronger and faster…
“If there is any way I can help him be a part of that over the next couple of years.”
Hamilton, with his extensive experience and numerous accolades, sees the opportunity to guide Russell’s development.
He stressed the importance of keeping focus and learning from mistakes, drawing from his own experiences, stating, “I have a lot of experience, I’ve been here a long time, putting together a race is, not that it’s easy, but the race is where I’m most comfortable on track.
“It’s just about keeping your head down.
“If you look at last year, I made a mistake at Turn Seven and went off and crashed into the wall.
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“It can happen to any of us. It’s just one of those things.”
In the wake of the Singapore Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton’s 196th F1 podium finish propelled him ahead of Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, securing third place in the drivers’ championship standings.
Meanwhile, George Russell currently occupies the seventh position in the standings, trailing his more seasoned teammate by 71 points.