Fittipaldi Gives His Take On Hamilton And Russell

Harry Sadoun Sports Betting Expert

3 minute read

George Russell has found it tough to keep up with teammate Lewis Hamilton since Mercedes introduced their B-spec car at Monaco, sitting 37 points behind the seven-time champion.

Two-time world champion Emerson Fittipaldi gave his view on why Hamilton has been superior and also talked about expectations for McLaren at the Austrian Grand Prix.

Fittipaldi praises Russell’s talent  

George Russell replaced Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes last year. This brought an end to the successful duo of Hamilton and Bottas. A partnership that had yielded record-breaking eight consecutive Constructors’ titles for Mercedes. Russell was able to deliver the only win of 2022 for Mercedes in Brazil which saw him close the year two places above Hamilton in the standings.

Fittipaldi is full of praise for the talent that Russell possesses as a driver and also makes a point of highlighting the adjustments and adapting that Hamilton has had to undergo during the early parts of the season. 

"When you go back, a year ago, when F1 changed the rules, Russell had a better combination with the car and now Lewis has come back strong."

"Lewis is trying to help develop the car and is adapting himself to it."

"George Russell is a very talented young driver. No doubt about it."

"But what Helmut Marko said, Lewis has so much more experience and background that he can help develop the car and now he's coming back again. In the races, he's running better, in traffic, overtaking, positioning himself. The experience is showing."

Never count out older drivers warns Fittipaldi 

However, 2023 has seen a change in the tide. Hamilton has been able to find some form and in doing so is currently out performing Ruseell in the past five rounds, scoring a total of three podiums to Russell’s one. 

As a former driver himself, Fittipaldi has been there and seen it all in the world of formula one. He claims that when younger drivers burst onto the scene in the manner of someone like Russell has, fans of the sport tend to gravitate away from the older, more experienced drivers. 

"It's interesting because when a young driver comes in, all the fans say 'well, I hope he can beat Lewis'. It's part of human behaviour. And now, it's coming back to reality. Lewis is so good, so competitive."

"We always have this, even myself, like Oscar Piastri, I like to see him perform because he's new and we want him to succeed. It's the behaviour of the racing fans. We always see the new guys with more excitement. And unfortunately, they then stop liking the old guard and say, 'I don't like Lewis Hamilton'.They don't know the reason why but subconsciously, it's because they want Russell to perform better. Human beings are very complicated."

"But at the end of the day, experience counts and Lewis and Fernando are great examples."

McLaren must find a solution to tyres issue 

Meanwhile, at McLaren it has been a disappointing season so far. Between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, McLaren have only managed to acquire 17 drivers points The difficult start has led to changes being made to the MCL60 car which include a new floor, new sidepods and a new sole cover. 

It is reported that  the team will then introduce new wings, and an upgrade of the mechanical part of the car. Fittipadli believes both McLaren drivers are capable of finishing in the top 10 for qualifying but claims the tyres will play a key role in their performance this weekend. 

"I think if the two McLarens can be in the top 10 in qualifying but mainly use and have a better performance from the tires on race day."

"It seems the combination between Pirelli and McLaren on race day is not the same as it is in qualifying."

"They will have to find a solution to utilise a longer life on the tires so that they can be consistently fast through the race. I think that is what is missing."

Image Credits: IMAGO/NurPhoto

Harry Sadoun

Harry Sadoun is a seasoned sports betting expert with a wealth of experience in the iGaming and sports betting industry. Over the past 5 years, he has established himself as a go-to source for insightful analysis and predictions at Vegasinsider. With a passion for sports, Harry specializes in football, basketball, tennis, rugby, and soccer, showcasing a diverse understanding of athletic competitions. Harry's unique approach to sports betting is rooted in a combination of statistical analysis, in-depth research, and a keen understanding of the dynamics that influence game outcomes. His expert opinions and strategic insights have made him a trusted voice in the industry, guiding both novice and seasoned bettors alike. With an unwavering commitment to delivering accurate and up-to-date information, Harry Sadoun continues to be a prominent figure in the world of sports betting, providing enthusiasts with the tools they need to make informed decisions. More from Harry Sadoun