Lewis Hamilton has defended team-mate George Russell from criticism on social media and mentioned Mercedes wants “assist and never negativity” from followers as they proceed their quest to return to the forefront of F1.
That is Hamilton’s last season at his long-term Brackley group earlier than a blockbuster transfer to Ferrari in 2025.
Russell’s dominance in qualifying was significantly eye-catching and sparked wild conspiracy theories on social media claiming he was favoring the younger Briton, who will stay with the group till 2025.
When requested concerning the claims and the current social media abuse directed at Russell, Hamilton stood up for his team-mate and Mercedes forward of this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix.
“I feel they know that if you happen to look over time, we have been a robust group. We have at all times labored onerous collectively,” Hamilton mentioned.
“I feel it is simple to get emotional. However I feel it is at all times… I even made feedback within the final recreation, for instance, nearly my efficiency.
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Lewis Hamilton describes his fourth-place end at Canadian Grand Prix as ‘one of many worst races he is ever pushed’
“I feel we want assist, not negativity, and I did not truly know that George was experiencing negativity.
“George does his finest each weekend and contributes to the group, so he cannot be faulted.
“In fact, we are able to at all times do issues higher inside the group. That is achieved via dialogue and communication. That is what we now have been working onerous on.
“However we’re all in the identical boat. We’re all working onerous collectively. We need to obtain nice outcomes and assume that is all the way down to the long-term relationship we now have.”
Russell displays on Canada’s errors and explains ‘dangers’
This weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix comes simply two weeks after Mercedes produced simply its best efficiency of a tough season to this point in Canada, when Russell took pole place and was in competition for the race win. .
The Briton’s bid for a primary win for the group since November 2022 was in the end scuppered by a number of errors, with a pissed off Russell criticized for his driving after the race after ending third .
“I used to be actually pissed off with myself Sunday night time and Monday morning,” Russell mirrored.
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Russell apologized on group radio after an “ugly race” during which the Mercedes driver took pole place and completed third on the Canadian Grand Prix
“Once I look again on the race, I’m reminded of how difficult it’s and if I had turned down the danger dial and slowed down by a tenth of a lap for 70 laps, I may have simply prevented making any of these errors.
“But when I had been a tenth a lap slower on lap 70, I in all probability would not have been on this place within the first place.
“In 2022, I don’t assume I pushed myself as a lot as I do now, I didn’t make any errors all season.
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Damon Hill believes Mercedes ought to again Russell extra whereas talking on Sky Sports activities F1 Podcast
“I am pushing myself actually, actually onerous now as a result of I need to win for the group. If I have been enjoying for a championship, I in all probability would not push myself or take as a lot danger in these video games.
“However now we’re not preventing for the title, we had half an opportunity of successful however I exceeded the goal nevertheless it was in all probability an excessive amount of.”
Can Mercedes keep its lead in Spain?
Mercedes and their improved W15 automotive now face what Russell admits is the “actual take a look at” this weekend on the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona – a observe with greater speeds, sweeping corners and Bonus aerodynamic effectivity.
“It was very thrilling main as much as this weekend as a result of earlier than Canada we have been driving within the simulator and making an attempt out these new upgrades and it appeared like an enormous step ahead,” Russell mentioned.
“Truthfully, once I was driving on the simulator, I actually did not imagine it, and it seems that is true in Canada. However we even have some indications that the corners in Canada are very comparable all through the observe and we might be extra It’ll be an actual take a look at and if we’re quick right here it’s going to bode effectively for the season.
Six-time Barcelona champion Hamilton added: “There are not any certainties on this trade.
“We’re not on the high-speed observe but, so we’ll see the way it goes. I am optimistic.”
Sky Sports activities F1 Spanish Grand Prix stay schedule
Friday, June 21
7.45am: F1 Academy apply
8:50 AM: F3 apply
10 a.m.: F2 apply
12 midday: Spanish Grand Prix apply one (The assembly begins at 12.30 midday)
1.55pm: F3 Qualifying
2.50pm: F2 Qualifying
3.35pm: Spanish Grand Prix Observe 2 (The assembly begins at 4 p.m.)
5.25pm: F1 Academy Qualifying
6.15pm: F1 Present
Saturday, June 22
9.35am: F3 dash
11.15am: Observe three for the Romagna Grand Prix in Spain (Assembly begins at 11.30 am)
1.10pm: F2 dash
2.10pm: Spanish Grand Prix qualifying preparations
3pm: Spanish Grand Prix qualifying
5pm: F1 Academy Race 1
Sunday, June 23
7.45am: F1 Academy Race 2
9 a.m.: F3 Particular Race
10.30am: F2 Particular Race
12:30pm: Sunday Grand Prix: Spanish Grand Prix preparations
2pm: Spanish Grand Prix
4pm: Checkered flag: Spanish Grand Prix reactions
System One returns to Europe because the championship strikes to Barcelona for the Spanish Grand Prix and the beginning of three races. Watch each race from Circuit de Barcelona-Catalonia this weekend, stay on Sky Sports activities F1. Watch every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Monthly Membership – no contract, cancel anytime
