Not So Clear Whether Hamilton Could Beat Russell For Championship Title Says Brundle
F1Tuesday, 19 December 2023 at 01:00
Sky Sports F1 co-commentator Martin Brundle expressed his opinion, suggesting it is not clear that Lewis Hamilton would beat George Russell in a championship fight.
Mercedes Formula One cars weren't exactly fast enough to allow George Russell and Lewis Hamilton to fight for the Championship title in 2023. Still, with the big changes the team is planning for 2024, the two drivers might find themselves battling for the race wins.
Martin Brundle was recently asked to pick a possible Championship winner between the two British drivers in Sky Sport's Q&A, and he responded:
"I think they're so close, those two, if you look at the stats, but George had a couple of nightmare races this year. That's a very good question."
Qualifying head-to-head between the two Mercedes drivers is 11 to 11, pointing to a draw. Grand Prix results head-to-head go 15 to 7 in favor of the seven-time World Champion this season. Bundle suggested it might also depend on Hamilton's motivation:
"It depends if Lewis maintains his current motivation, but it's so close to call. Lewis knows how to do that, but George has got youth on his side."
While he lost in 2023, it was Russell with more points and better results in 2022, so, in terms of season results, the two Mercedes drivers are currently 1:1. The former F1 driver asserted he doesn't feel it would clearly be the 38-year-old.
"I definitely wouldn't say, ‘Oh, Lewis, without a doubt, because he's already a seven-time champion.' That I would absolutely not say."
On the other hand, we know that Hamilton has been in the battle for the Championship multiple times before, he has proven he can handle the pressure and deliver the results. Russell, on the other hasn't been in such a position yet. Bundle added:
"Until George is in a championship winning position, we don't know if he's got the head to cope with it."
If the Championship came down to a battle between the two Mercedes drivers, who do you think would be more likely to win, Lewis Hamilton or George Russell?
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