Mercedes driver George Russell has highlighted Lewis Hamilton and his Ferrari team as a considerable challenge for the current Formula 1 world championship. Russell's comments follow Hamilton's recent triumph at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, marking his first victory since joining the Italian outfit and signalling a strong resurgence in form.
Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, now sits 41 points adrift of championship leader Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes after his Spanish Grand Prix win. Russell, who is nine points behind Hamilton in the standings, expressed his admiration for his compatriot's return to top form. "It's great to see Lewis back doing what he does best," Russell stated, dismissing previous speculation about Hamilton's age and capabilities. He added, "People were writing him off last year or even the year we were team-mates in '24... It just shows that you don't forget how to drive overnight."
The Mercedes driver elaborated on the crucial factors for success in Formula 1, explaining that a driver needs their team, the car's set-up, and a deep understanding of the tyres to "click" and perform at their peak. "That's where he is at the moment and for sure he is a big threat. Ferrari are a huge threat," Russell affirmed, acknowledging Ferrari's strong chassis this season despite their engine performance trailing Mercedes. He concluded by noting that while Antonelli remains consistently impressive, "Ferrari feel like they're coming and Lewis is at the forefront of that."
Hamilton himself acknowledged the opportunity for a title challenge, stating, "I don't think it's impossible." However, he stressed the immense effort required from the entire team to compete with Mercedes, emphasising that it would take "absolutely everyone, full hands on deck, for the rest of the year." Ferrari is set to introduce its first engine upgrade of the season at this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix. Hamilton, while welcoming the development, cautioned that it would not entirely bridge the gap to the leading engines, describing it as a "step" rather than a complete solution.
In other news from the paddock, Hamilton also shed light on a significant neck injury he sustained during testing last year at the Barcelona circuit. He revealed hitting the wall "very hard," which resulted in a disc in his neck protruding into a nerve, causing nine weeks of pain and requiring extensive daily treatment. "I couldn't sleep. I had to get injections. I did everything I could to try to fix it," he explained, indicating the ongoing challenge of competing with the injury. Meanwhile, Red Bull, who have been less competitive than anticipated this year, will also be bringing a major chassis upgrade to Austria, with Max Verstappen hoping for improved performance.
Separately, two-time world champion Fernando Alonso has reiterated his long-term commitment to Aston Martin, dispelling recent media speculation linking him with Alpine. Alonso, who turns 45 next month and is out of contract at the end of the year, stated, "I want to win a world championship with Aston Martin, with or without driving." He expressed confidence in the team's future success, particularly with the addition of Adrian Newey as managing technical partner and Honda as engine partners, believing these factors provide "certain guarantees that it will succeed and it will fight for world championships."
Source: George Russell, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso interviews