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Russell more likely than Bottas to claim Rosberg status'

Russell more likely than Bottas to claim Rosberg status'

09-12-2022 13:36 Last update: 13:45
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GPblog.com

George Russell beat his teammate, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, in his first year at Mercedes. According to F1 journalist and commentator of the German Sky, Sascha Roos, this presents Mercedes with a difficult choice between its drivers.

Should Mercedes in 2023 do have a strong car from the start of the season and compete for wins, there could be quite a rivalry between Russell and Hamilton. So says Roos, who finds it remarkable that Russell scored more points than Hamilton in 2022. Roos: "I think Hamilton will hit back this year, but I am not sure if he will also be the clear number one." Roos expects Mercedes could be in the same situation next year as it was with Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.

'Russell more likely to go after Rosberg than Bottas'

According to Roos, Hamilton had a preferred position with the team, but that did not stop Rosberg from beating him in the championship in 2016. Rose: " I'm pretty sure they [Hamilton and Russell] will start on equal footing next season and that Mercedes will determine after a few races who they will build on." That Russell, with only one GP victory behind his name, is seen as a possible challenger to the seven-time world champion is an interesting fact. According to Roos, Hamilton will be highly motivated.

Roos: "When Valtteri Bottas joined the team, Hamilton was the obvious number one. But Russell is not Bottas. Russell is more likely to claim the same status as Rosberg." So it is up to Hamilton to outclass his compatriot in the first races of the season and assign him the position of second fiddle. Failure to do so could have far-reaching consequences. Rose writes as a statement, "Russell beats Hamilton within the team; after the season, the record champion will retire."