George Russell: Würde zu Gespräch mit Red Bull nicht nein sagen formel1.de - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from formel1.de Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Russell responds to rumours of Hamilton rift
Date published:
April 15 2021
George Russell has denied he and Sir Lewis Hamilton are no longer on speaking terms following rumours of a rift.
The speculation surfaced when a question was posed to Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff during a recent interview, with the Austrian saying he was unaware of any issue between the British drivers but that he could “imagine that because the competition between the two is very strong”.
It follows Russell’s substitute appearance for Mercedes at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix, driving Hamilton’s car.
However, Russell has said his rapport with the reigning World Champion is the same as with other drivers on the grid, adding their relationship is “completely fine”.
“Anybody in that situation would have had trouble keeping their emotions in order,” he said.
“I came back to the drivers’ room, threw everything down. I was speechless, to be honest, and very emotional.
“Then Toto [Wolff] and Bono [race engineer] came in.
“They said, ‘You were amazing. We’re so sorry. Your time will come again.
“I was obviously disappointed but equally incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity and pride in how the race went in such short notice in a car I’d never driven with no preparation.”
With Hamilton and team-mate Valtteri Bottas out of contract at the end of the season and Russell coming to the end of an initial three-year agreement with Williams, the stars could well be aligning for the Brit to become a fully-fledged Mercedes driver on a permanent basis.
Bahrain F1 races to make Netflix debut
The official trailer shows behind-the-scenes action at a number of races, with all 10 teams set to be part of the series once again.
Bahrain’s motor sporting scene is set to make its Netflix debut, as 2020’s F1 races in the Kingdom will be featured in the third season of the series
Drive to Survive.
The third season of the show will be released on March 19 and, based on the trailer, is set to focus on the moments that took place during Bahrain’s first-ever doubleheader.
The series combines on-track action with behind-the-scenes footage filmed at Grand Prix and at team factories, and even follows drivers back to their homes as they travel around the world.
Although appreciative that Mercedes has named him as one of their reserve drivers, Nyck de Vries knows "very well" that doesn't mean he'll get a call up.