But there is a feeling that Russell must be careful not to cross the line, and risk creating problems within the team. Both he and Hamilton will be expected to give their all in the pursuit of on-track success, but Mercedes are keen to avoid any potential conflict.
As such, there is an expectation that the team will continue to play things carefully with Russell, allowing him to grow in experience but without becoming a number one driver at the expense of team harmony.
The seven-time World Champion had an off-year, struggling with a difficult car and frequently being outpaced by his younger teammate. Hamilton also endured a number of poor starts, and was regularly accused of favouritism within the team.
While Russell is already a long-term prospect for Mercedes, there was a sense in 2022 that the dynamic had shifted, with both drivers more evenly matched than expected.
He will be expected to be more competitive with Hamilton in 2023, and will need to find a way to win without drawing the ire of the team.
It is something that Mercedes will be keen to manage well, as they look to re-establish themselves.
Allied to this, he must continue to raise his game if he is to seriously challenge Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, the sport’s hottest property and a driver who has proved his ability to win in all conditions. Mercedes are placing their faith in the Briton to continue to deliver, and he will be central to their efforts to return to the top step of the podium.
With that in mind, Russell must take a step back in order to work on his weaknesses, while also looking to overcome his mental demons that cost him success in 2022.
His self-destructive reaction to losing out on victory at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix epitomised his struggles, and he must learn to channel his frustrations if he is to stand a chance of beating Hamilton in 2023. Mercedes will provide him with the machinery to do so, but it will be down to him to maintain his composure and deliver when it matters most.
There are certainly question marks over whether he can do so, but a winter of self-reflection should see him arrive at the season-opener in Bahrain refreshed and ready to make amends for a difficult rookie season with Mercedes.
Wolff believes that Russell has the potential to surpass Hamilton’s achievements in F1, although he accepts that the younger man still has much to learn before he can become the sport’s dominant force. But, he is encouraged by his performances so far, even if there have been some stumbles along the way. He told the Telegraph: “He’s not Lewis yet. He still has to learn a lot. And, he is still at the beginning of his career, but the potential is there.”
Hamilton’s re-emergence as the dominant force at Mercedes should give Russell the perfect platform to learn from one of the most successful drivers in the sport’s history. The pair have developed a productive working relationship, and there is every chance that the 25-year-old will be able to rival Hamilton in the next few years.
Wolff is keen to see them battle one another on track, with both drivers providing different perspectives and outlooks on the sport. “They are very different personalities.
George is much more extroverted, is full of energy and has an amazing ability to motivate the team around him and create an atmosphere,” he said.
“Lewis,on the other side, is the complete opposite. He’s very quiet. He’s analytical, he’s sharp and he’s very much a deep thinker. So you have two contrasting personalities, but they share the same passion for the sport, the same values, and are pushing each other to be better.”
It is an intriguing dynamic at Mercedes, and one that should only benefit both drivers, and the team as a whole, as the sport enters an exciting new era of competition.
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