The Japanese Grand Prix last weekend witnessed a rift within the Mercedes team as the agitated George Russell was furious at the antics of his teammate Lewis Hamilton. The stakes were different in Japan as opposed to the Singapore Grand Prix where they had previously raced side by side and aggressively competed with Ferrari and McLaren.
Despite Russell’s best efforts, he derailed from the tracks and crashed at the very last moment which led to his disqualification while Hamilton stood at the podium.
However, in the series of events that took place during the race at Suzuka last weekend, fans deemed the 25-year-old driver to be “not a team player“.
In a moment of competitiveness, as he raced to make it to the podium, he ignored the instructions to let Hamilton pass on him. Russell remained adamant and argued, “Why donāt we invert on the last lap and he just stays in DRS like last week unless heās fighting for a bigger result?”
George Ruššell everyone!
It took him 3 minutes and 49 seconds and a direct order that had to be given twice, to let Lewis pass.
He’s not a team player he’s an overachieving, constant talking snake, who’s slowly but surely getting Nico’ed and he knows it.#F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/Xvg2RePq5H
ā Henry Mill (@_HenryMill) September 25, 2023
This choice came about following an explosive debate among strategists. The intense radio exchanges between Russell and Hamilton and an earlier wheel-to-wheel altercation emphasized the relationship between them. Despite the fact that their post-race statements reduced the tension, they couldn’t diminish the impact of what transpired on the track.
What happened between Lewis Hamilton & George Russell at the 2023 Japanese Grand Prix?
As the two British drivers fought to drive ahead of one another, during the closing stages of the Japanese GP, Mercedes had to make a tough call. Russell was leading with the fifth spot but his teammate and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz was closing in fast.
Then came the moment when the young Briton’s tires started to wear as they were considerably older according to his strategy while his opponents had gone for a two-stop plan. That is when the tension started kicking in.
š»”Who do we want to fight here, each other or the others?”
The intra-team battle within Mercedes is at its highest level#Formula1 #JapaneseGP #f1jp #F1 #Russell #Hamilton #Mercedes #TeamRadio pic.twitter.com/gaBcW3HUMRā giFF1š (@giFFormula1) September 24, 2023
Russell recommended to Mercedes that they counter Sainz by employing the DRS (Drag Reduction System). This tactic had worked well for the Spaniard in Singapore the week before as it helped him win the race. But, nevertheless, directed Lewis to allow George access to the DRS after switching the positions of their two drivers. Unfortunately for the young lad, Sainz had a sizable enough edge for him to proceed ahead.
Lewis Hamilton vehemently disagreed with Mercedes’ tactical choices taken during those crucial closing circuits. He said, “I don’t think it was a good idea, when they suggested it to me, I knew that they obviously thought of it from the last race and it made no sense.”
Hamilton questioned the reasoning for making use of DRS to fight off Carlos Sainz which definitely did not work well.
