F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Jordan: 'Russell has taken Hamilton's perch away'

Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan says Lewis Hamilton is no longer "top dog" in Formula 1 or in his own Mercedes team where George Russell is currently outperforming the seven-time world champion.

Russell had outqualified Hamilton 4-3 so far this season, but the 24-year-old has outscored his illustrious teammate in six of the seven races that have taken place in 2022.

Many believe a changing of the guard is underway at Mercedes, although Russell appears to have adapted quicker to the Brackley squad's new-generation car while Hamilton has arguably been unlucky in several instances, the victim of ill-timed safety cars or unfortunate circumstances.

However, Jordan is convinced that slowly but surely, the torch is being passed at Mercedes from Hamilton to Russell.

©Mercedes

"Absolutely, I think the big surprise is, everybody globally, in Formula 1 context, thinks that Lewis Hamilton is top dog," Jordan told Britain's Channel 4.

"But he’s no longer top dog, not even in that team because Russell has taken his perch away. And I think it’s very interesting to watch and I want to see how Lewis is going to overcome that."

Countering Jordan's view, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says that Russell outpacing Hamilton on race day is a trend that won't last indefinitely.

"No, I think when you look at the bad spells that Lewis had, I mean, look at the race: stuck again," he said after last weekend's Monaco Grand Prix.

"Contact with Esteban [Ocon], stuck behind Fernando [Alonso], the red flag in qualifying, and I think the pendulum will swing.

"So [once] these unlucky situations stop with Lewis, they're very much on the same pace. [During] one practice, one leads and then the other one. And that is great.

"Also they work together in order to get our car straight, because we need to get our car straight."

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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.

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