Ralf: Russell is a different calibre to Bottas

Ralf Schumacher has described George Russell as a “different calibre” of team-mate for Lewis Hamilton when compared to Valtteri Bottas.

While the Mercedes team may have struggled, George Russell can be pretty pleased about his 2022 campaign so far. His time at Williams spent getting the maximum out of a poor car has, unexpectedly, come in handy at Mercedes.

As the problems persist into the season, Russell has at times shown a superior ability to his team-mate Lewis Hamilton when it comes to maximising the car’s performance.

The 24-year-old is 23 points ahead of his veteran team-mate and it is a situation not many would have predicted before the season-opener in Bahrain.

One of the most anticipated parts of Russell’s swap to Mercedes was the idea that he may pose more of a challenge than Bottas, who appeared at times to be happy playing second fiddle to Hamilton.

Schumacher has said that difference has already shown itself and Russell has a consistency to his performance.

“Russell is now a different calibre for Lewis than Bottas was and, above all, he is a consistent calibre,” Schumacher told Motorsport.com.

“He is also someone who picks people up – just like Hamilton too. He makes a likeable and very buddy-like impression in the team.”

The former F1 driver, who competed in 180 races, winning six, also said that the way Russell is able to handle problems is going to “bother” Hamilton.

“[Russell] kind of outweighs Lewis a little bit in every way. He can just handle it better and that bothers Lewis, I’m pretty sure,” Schumacher suggested.

“That’s clear, he’s an egotist after all, as we all were as racing drivers, and I was as well, I admit that. In any case, I must say, it will bother him. One hundred percent!”

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