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Ex-F1 driver Karun Chandhok says conversations with Toto Wolff revealed a consciousness over managing his new Mercedes driver line-up.

With Valtteri Bottas departing Mercedes after five seasons alongside Hamilton, it is now an all-British line-up at the team for 2022 after Russell made the move from Williams to partner Hamilton.

Russell is no stranger to the Mercedes system, having made his Formula 1 breakthrough with their backing as a Mercedes junior.

Now, after an impressive three-season spell at Williams, Russell will be out to help Mercedes extend their run of Constructors’ Championships to nine in succession.

Of course, he will also be eyeing up the Drivers’ title, similarly to Hamilton.

The last time that Hamilton had a true inter-team rival in the quest for that honour was Nico Rosberg back in 2016, and Wolff vowed that he would not allow a repeat of such a rivalry.

Even before this, tracking back to Hamilton’s first season in Formula 1 in 2007 with McLaren, his relationship with then team-mate Fernando Alonso was also far from smooth.

So, Chandhok explained that Wolff is taking a “very conscious” approach for his management of the Hamilton-Russell duo.

“The biggest question heading into the season is how the Lewis and George battle