Hill cautions Russell over ultra-confident approach to Hamilton challenge

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Damon Hill believes Lewis Hamilton will want to give George Russell "a leg up" at Mercedes but advises the latter not to head into the 2022 season hoping to "knock spots off" the seven-time world champion.

Russell's promotion to a race seat with the reigning world championship outfit after three impressive seasons with Williams is a big break for the 23-year-old and has created big expectations for the young talent.

But Hill believes Russell would be ill-advised to enter the season with an abundance of confidence versus a driver that will be determined to avenge his painful defeat against Max Verstappen in Abu Dhabi.

Hill warns that getting under Hamilton's skin at the outset could be counter-productive for Russell as it would risk transforming his teammate into a foe rather than an ally at Mercedes

"I think it will be great to watch," said Hill in an interview with Express Sport. "I’m sure Lewis will be wanting to encourage George. I don’t see it going wrong.

"I think Lewis recognises his timespan is shorter in the sport than George’s, so he will want to play his part in giving him a leg-up – not that he needs one, probably.

"It’s down to George and how he approaches it, I think. You can go into these situations and think ‘right, that’s the enemy over there and I’m out to knock spots off them’.

"That might not be the wisest thing to do with Lewis, I don’t think.

"That’s something to really look forward to next year. I’ll be as excited as anyone to see what will happen."

Fellow British F1 world champion Jenson Button echoed Hill's view, insisting Russell would be better advised to keep his expectations in check and build up his position at Mercedes.

"He’s got to not put pressure on himself. He can’t think ‘I’ll get in the car and be quicker than Lewis on day one’," added Button.

"He’s got to build up to it, otherwise he will shoot himself in the foot. You can’t be too confident alongside Lewis."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.