Russell’s arrival from Williams coincided with Mercedes’ downturn in form as the reigning world champions struggled to⭕ get to grips with F1’s regulation overhaul at the start of 2022. 

Mer𝔉cedes endured a miserable campaign thougꦡh Russell was able to secure the team’s only victory in Brazil on his way to unexpectedly outperforming seven-time world champion Hamilton. 

2023 has shown little improvement so far for Mercedes, who are lagging behind early pacesetters Red Bull and ꦓhave already conceded they will need to change their car concept to return to competitiveness. 

Russell reckons his reputation would have taken a hit had Hamilton decided to walk away♈ from F1 at the end of 2021. 

“For me, being teammates with Lewis is such a golden opportunity,” Russell told Square Mil♍e. “Especially now that the car isn’t performing as we want. 

“Having him 𒊎as my teammate has saved me in some regard, because if he had retired or left the sport when I joined the team, and we took this step backwards, people woul꧃d be pointing the blame towards me! 

"But I feel like now I’ve proven my worth and I’ve proven what I’m capable of, so there’s no pressure in that regard. I’m out there to do the best job possible and I think that൩ is a very fortunate positi❀on to be in.”

Russell has made another impressive start to the season and has out-qualified Hamilton at each of the opening three races this year, though he trails his teammate by 20 points in the168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史: championship after retiring w🦄ith engine trouble in Australia. 

Despite edging Hamilton in his first season wiꦚth Mercedes, the 25-ye๊ar-old Briton insists he is not getting bogged down with how his performances stack up against F1’s most decorated driver. 

“I’m not worried about any statistics or making sure that I’m on Lewis’s pace or ♓whatever because I fee🔜l like I showed that last year,” Russell said. “What a position to be in to go up against the greatest ever.”