George Russell risks causing Toto Wolff headache due to Lewis Hamilton dilemma
George Russell finished on the podium in Montreal on Sunday, but his performance has attracted a mixed response.
George Russell departed the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve with his second career pole position and Mercedes’ first podium finish of the season. On the surface, this was a strong weekend for Toto Wolff’s outfit, but a handful of costly errors from the Brit have raised concerns about his long-term viability as a team leader.
On the other side of the garage, Lewis Hamilton continues to cut a frustrated figure. The seven-time world champion has been consistently fast in the races, but his qualifying form has been nothing short of disastrous, given the lofty standards he has set for himself during his F1 career to date.
The 39-year-old is set to leave Mercedes at the end of 2024, and when he does, it is expected that 17-year-old starlet Kimi Antonelli will replace him. If Wolff does press ahead in naming the Italian as Hamilton’s successor, the pressure will be on for Russell to step up and start maximising point returns.
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Russell’s initial defence against Verstappen on Sunday, but in his battles with Lando Norris he made multiple errors. One of them occurred at the final chicane, sending him scampering over the run-off area and dropping him down two positions.
The 26-year-old made clear his disappointment on the radio. “Ugly race on my behalf,” he grovelled. “Sorry for that. I'm very sorry for that." The points will be welcomed at Brackley, but Russell’s lack of composure in key moments will be a source of worry for Wolff and the rest of the team.
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This wasn’t the first instance of Russell costing himself points in 2024. In Australia, the Brit was following Fernando Alonso on the final lap but was spooked when his rival braked early at Turn Six. The change in pace sent the Mercedes driver across the gravel and out of the race.
In Singapore last year, Russell made another costly error. Both Mercedes drivers were pressuring Carlos Sainz and Norris for the win, but on the final tour of the circuit, the 26-year-old clipped the outside wall at Turn 10, sending him into the barriers from third place.
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Granted, it is not yet time for panic stations regarding the Russell project. The man from King’s Lynn has been nurtured since his junior days to be the Mercedes team leader after Hamilton departs, but while his raw speed and commitment cannot be debated, Wolff will need him to eradicate the silly errors that have plagued his races of late.
