Is George Russell about to take the most important leap of his racing career? Karun Chandhok sees ‘golden opportunity’ for Briton in Formula 1
George Russell is living every racing driver’s dream: the 24-year-old will start in the 2022 Formula One season in the top team Mercedes and thus alongside seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton. A “golden opportunity” for the Briton to make a name for himself early on, according to ex-Formula 1 driver Karun Chandhok from India.
“We have the biggest rules revolution in 40 years, Ferrari is back on top, but for me the most exciting story is how the battle between Lewis and George will develop,” Chandhok said at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. “I see a lot of parallels there with the situation between Lewis and Fernando [Alonso] in 2007, which imploded at McLaren.”
The Indian also recalls the intense battle between Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, which has repeatedly led to squabbles within the Mercedes team. “At that time, two teams virtually formed in the same racing team,” Chandhok explains. “The atmosphere was not very good.” That’s why the ex-Formula 1 driver believes Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff will have his hands full keeping the situation under control.
For Russell, going head-to-head with Hamilton is a very special opportunity, says Chandhok, who speaks of a “hungry” talent at Mercedes. “When you talk to people, they say George has been at the factory all winter,” says the Indian. “He is always there: in the simulator and with the engineers. He’s competing against a driver who is statistically the best of all time. “
Chandhok is sure Russell will challenge his teammate significantly more than Valtteri Bottas, who starts for Alfa Romeo in the 2022 season. Should Russell manage to beat Hamilton in his first Mercedes year, Chandhok says he will make himself immortal. “I have spoken to him and he is putting everything he has into that opportunity,” he explains.
However, Russell might not get many chances to beat Hamilton on the track as the seven-time world champion might hang up his helmet after his current contract with Mercedes. Chandhok also believes the Briton’s current working paper may be his last in Formula One.
But until Hamilton ends his career, the Briton will give everything to win his eighth world championship title. According to Chandhok, the Mercedes star has used the time off on social media to recharge his batteries and refocus on what is important in Formula 1. The Indian praises the form of last season’s World Championship runner-up and is sure that it will not be easy to beat Hamilton in the 2022 season.
