Damon Hill predicts how Lewis Hamilton will respond if George Russell puts him under pressure

1996 Formula 1 world champion Damon Hill says that Lewis Hamilton will be able to cope just fine even if George Russell threatens him for results this season as the pair join up to drive for Mercedes.

The 2022 campaign is almost here now, with the first race being held at the Sakhir circuit for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Certainly, there are plenty of intriguing plotlines for the new season that are about to start unfolding and one of them naturally concerns the new dynamic at Constructors’ champions Mercedes as Russell joins Hamilton inside the Silver Arrows garage.

Many expect George to be quick this year, too, but Hill says the vast experience that Hamilton has means that he will not get too bothered if Russell beats him once or twice this season.

Speaking to the F1 Nation podcast, Hill said: “Lewis seems so comfortable now. I think he won’t feel pressure. If George threatens him or is quick, I think he’d be able to cope with that.

“You’ve got one of the strongest drivers of all time as your teammate, so that’s one down, and the other one is one of the hottest properties, young talents, as well. So yeah, I’d say definitely a very strong line-up there.

“It wouldn’t be the end of the world [for Hamilton if Russell is quick.]

“He knows he’s got seven world titles in the bank and, over a season, I think it’s unlikely that George is going to topple Lewis.

“So I think he’s comfortable. In fact, if anything, he’s probably feeling better if he’s got a fast-charging number two, because anything that comes between him and Red Bull or Ferrari, whoever else it is, the better!”

It’s going to be very entertaining watching the two Brits pushing one another on and, for Mercedes, the hope has to be that they will both drive the team on