Russell 'now always ahead of Hamilton'

Mar.22 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton is not likely to quit Formula 1 at the end of 2023.

That is the view of former F1 driver Christian Danner, even though the seven time world champion continues to trail his much younger teammate George Russell.

“There’s a specific thing with something on this car that I’ve never had before,” Hamilton, 38, said after Saudi Arabia.

“For me, it’s the thing that is making me uncomfortable.”

Some think a second consecutive season of struggling to keep up with Russell will be the precursor to Hamilton failing to come to terms for another Mercedes contract.

When asked which driver he has his eye on in 2023, former Renault boss Flavio Briatore told Corriere della Sera: “Russell. He’s great.

“He already knows how to win and is now always ahead of Hamilton.”

German Danner, however, doubts Hamilton is poised to retire.

“I still don’t think Lewis will lose interest in Formula 1,” the former Arrows driver said.

“One reason is that we are now seeing the magnificent driving of Fernando Alonso, and he is three years older than Lewis.

“There’s no doubt that an uncompetitive car can take the edge off a racing driver, but I don’t think Lewis is a driver who gives up easily. Even if he’s faced with pretty rough winds in the form of George Russell.

“But I think Hamilton is someone who gets stuck into adversity with even more fierce determination than usual.”