Russell insists he has ‘equal treatment’ to Hamilton

George Russell insists there are no team orders at Mercedes, describing the situation as a “level playing field” for he and Lewis Hamilton.

Mercedes are fielding an all-British line-up on the Formula 1 grid this season, with Russell viewed as a long-term prospect at the age of 24 after replacing Valtteri Bottas.

With huge potential but comparatively little experience of racing at the front of the field, following three seasons honing his trade further down the order with Williams, Russell’s status in the team for now could be perceived as being a ‘wingman’ to the seven-time former World Champion.

Verstappen’s racing tactics questioned

Max won title with aggression

Russell not at Mercedes to steal Hamilton’s crown

Brundle and JV on McLaren struggles

Serious work needed at McLaren

Brundle on what Hamilton needs to continue in F1

Leclerc wants 23 wins, would settle for five

Magnussen says racing ‘so much better’ in F1

Mixed fortunes for AlphaTauri

Brundle doubts Perez’s title credentials

F1 could have 30-race calendar ‘tomorrow’

A disastrous weekend for Red Bull

A ‘lot of everything’ wrong with the W13

But the younger of the two compatriots – who finished fourth in the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, one place behind his colleague – maintains he is free to challenge Hamilton on track should an opportunity present itself.

Caption this. pic.twitter.com/eIsKV3EEQl

— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) March 25, 2022

“We are on a level playing field,” Russell told the BBC. “There are no team orders, we have equal treatment totally and they (Mercedes) trust us to go out there and race fairly.”

Regarding his working partnership with Hamilton, Russell said before action got under way at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: