Lewis Hamilton has defended team-mate George Russell from criticism on social media and said Mercedes need “not negative support” from fans as they continue their bid to return to the front of F1.
In Hamilton’s final season at the long-serving Brackley team before he moves to Ferrari in 2025, Russell is 8-1 in head-to-head qualifying and 12 points ahead of the seventh-placed winner in the competition. championship standings after the first nine rounds of the season.
Russell’s dominance in qualifying in particular has drawn attention and fueled wild conspiracy theories on social media alleging favoritism to the younger Briton, who remains in the team in 2025.
Asked about the claims and recent social media abuse directed at Russell, Hamilton stood up for his teammates and Mercedes ahead of this weekend’s Spanish GP.
“I think we know that looking over the years, we’ve always been a strong team. We’ve always worked really hard together,” said Hamilton.
“I think it’s easy to get emotional. But I think that’s for sure… I even commented in the last race, for example, about my performance.
“I think we need support, not negativity, and I don’t know if George is experiencing negativity.
“George does nothing but his best every weekend and delivers for the team, so he can’t be faulted.
“Of course, we can always do better as a team, and through conversation, communication, and that’s what we continue to do.
“But we’re all in the same boat. We all work hard together. We want to finish high and feel that we owe it to our long-term relationship.”
Russell describes Canada’s mistakes and explains ‘risk’
This weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix took place two weeks after Mercedes easily showed the most competitive of the tough season so far in Canada, when Russell qualified on pole and contended to win the race.
The Briton’s bid for a first win for the team since November 2022 was ultimately scuppered by a series of mistakes, with a frustrated Russell criticizing his driving after the race after finishing third.
“I was very upset with myself Sunday night, Monday morning,” Russell reflected.
“When I watch the race again, I remember how difficult it was and I could have easily not made that mistake if I turned down the risk dial and drove ten laps slower for 70 laps.
“But if I had driven ten laps slower for 70 laps, I probably wouldn’t have been in that position in the first place.
“In 2022, I don’t think I put as much pressure on myself as I did now and I didn’t make any mistakes during the whole season.
“Now I’m really pushing myself because I want to get the victory for the team. If I’m fighting for the championship, I probably won’t push myself or risk too much during this race.
“But now, we are not fighting for the championship, we have half a chance for victory and I am beyond to achieve it, and it can be very far.”
Can Mercedes stay in contention at the front in Spain?
Mercedes and its improved W15 cars now face what Russell admits is a “real test” at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya this weekend – a circuit that features higher speeds, sweeping corners and offers aerodynamic efficiency.
“It’s really exciting ahead of this weekend because before Canada we drove in the simulator trying out this new upgrade and it looks like a step forward,” said Russell.
“Honestly, I didn’t really believe when I was driving in the simulator, and it was true in Canada. But we also have some indications that Canada is the same corner all over the circuit to be fast. It will be a real test if we are fast here, it will be so that bodes well for the season.
Hamilton, who won for the sixth time in Barcelona, ​​added: “There are no certainties in this industry.
“We have not been in the high-speed circuit get so we will see how it goes. I am optimistic”.
sky Spanish GP schedule live F1 sport
Friday June 21st
07.45: F1 Academy Practice
8:50: F3 training
10.00: Practice F2
12pm: Spanish GP Practice One (session starts at 12:30 p.m)
13.55: Qualifying F3
14.50: Qualifying F2
15.35: Spanish GP Practice Two (session begins at 4 p.m)
17.25: F1 Academy Qualifying
18.15: F1 event
Saturday 22 June
9.35: F3 Sprint
11.15: Practice of the Spanish GP Romagna Tiga (session starts at 11.30am)
13.10: F2 Sprint
14.10: Qualifying Spanish GP build-up
3pm: Spanish GP Qualifying
17.00: F1 Academy Race 1
Sunday June 23rd
07.45: F1 Academy Race 2
9am: F3 Feature Race
10.30: F2 Feature Race
12:30: Grand Prix Sunday: Spanish GP build-up
2pm: SPANISH GRAND PRIX
16:00: Checkered Flag: Spanish GP reaction
Formula 1 returns to Europe as the championship heads to Barcelona for the Spanish Grand Prix and the start of a triple-header. Watch every session at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream every F1 race and more with Sports Month Membership NOW – No contract, cancel anytime