JV: If Russell beats Hamilton his career is made

George Russell stepped into his W13 this season knowing that it wouldn’t win him a World title but that’s “okay” because his goal is to beat Lewis Hamilton, that’s according to Jacques Villeneuve.

The porpoising debate rages on

Torquing Point: Canadian GP review and conclusions

Red Bull's one good, one bad weekend

Ferrari bounce back at the Canadian GP

McLaren struggle through Canadian GP weekend

Hamilton bags much needed podium

From Mr. Saturday to Mr. Consistency, Russell has swapped his qualifying magic with Williams for a points-scoring run with Mercedes.

The 24-year-old has strung together a run of nine top-five finishes, the only driver to have scored in every race this season, putting him P4 in the Drivers’ standings.

With Russell seemingly coping with the W13’s bouncing easier than Hamilton, he has a 34-point lead over his team-mate having beaten the seven-time World Champion in all but two grands prix.

If he continues to do that this season, Villeneuve says his career will be made.

“He has the experience now and he’s had a few years of driving bad cars, difficult cars,” he said in the latest F1 Nation podcast.

“So yes, he was okay with a difficult Mercedes that was bouncing, all that mattered to him was beating Lewis.

“He knew from the start it wasn’t a championship-winning car, if he beats Lewis, his career is made. That’s all that he cares about.

“And also, both of them being British, he beats Lewis that’s it as his career has been made.

“So that was his only emphasis: what he needed to do to beat Lewis and that’s what he’s been doing.”

'Mr Consistency' does it again #CanadianGP #F1 @GeorgeRussell63 @MercedesAMGF1 pic.twitter.com/8uLKVYrJT3

— Formula 1 (@F1) June 20, 2022

Beating Hamilton means beating a