How Hamilton's Ferrari deal makes Russell's F1 2024 harder

OPINION: Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff has already openly endorsed George Russell to lead the team once Lewis Hamilton departs for Ferrari in 2025. But that doesn’t change the fact that the coming 2024 campaign is filled with pressure for Mercedes’ most recent Formula 1 race winner, something that has actually increased after his team-mate’s departure decision

Published Feb 14, 2024, 10:00 AM

“[In] all the Lewis discussion, something that has not been talked about enough is George. George has the potential to be the next lead driver in the team. He's of the generation of Lando and Leclerc and some of the others. I couldn't wish for a new team leader when Lewis leaves. No doubt about that.

“We've such a solid foundation, such a quick and talented and intelligent guy in a car that we just need to take the right choice for the second driver, the second seat.”

Author Alex Kalinauckas

Alex Kalinauckas is Autosport's Grand Prix Editor, covering every Formula 1 race since the start of 2020. After completing a master's degree in journalism at Goldsmiths College University of London in 2014, he worked for a range of motorsport and technology publications while covering national racing as an Autosport freelancer.

A lifelong motorsport fan - no one in his family can explain quite how or why such a development first occurred - Alex joined the Autosport staff in April 2017 as the magazine’s Assistant Editor covering Formula 2 and GP3, before being made Formula E correspondent and Autosport.com’s Plus Editor in March 2018. He lives in north-east London and is constantly frustrated by the Central Line.