F1, Mercedes: Jenson Button lapidary on Lewis Hamilton and George Russell

Jenson Button doesn’t hide when talking about Hamilton and Russell

For Jenson Button, the internal Mercedes rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and George Russell could ignite in 2023, after a transitional 2022 for the Brackley-based stable.

“I think Lewis will start this year on the right foot,” the 2009 world champion told ‘Sky Sport Uk’. Right from the start he should be competitive, whereas last season he showed he was only competitive in the last part: honestly I’m looking forward to it. It will put a lot of pressure on Russell, I’m sure, because he doesn’t need to lorry for a few podiums: he will want to get back to winning.”

In 2022 Lewis Hamilton completed his first season in F1 without winning a single race (best result was second place, achieved on five occasions). Russell, on the other hand, was able to celebrate his first success in the top open-wheel motorsport series in Brazil: at the Interlagos circuit, he won not only the race but also the previous day’s Sprint Race.