Russell: Hamilton’s departure will ‘spark motivation’ at Mercedes

George Russell believes that Lewis Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes marks the start of a new era that will reinvigorate the team’s spirit and determination.

The seven-time world champion’s move to Ferrari for 2025 leaves Mercedes facing the next season without Hamilton for the first time since 2012.

For Russell, this change is bittersweet but brimming with potential.

Reflecting on the impact of his former teammate’s exit, Russell believes the transition has stirred a mix of emotions within the team.

“We had a do on Thursday night altogether, looking back on some of his memories, and I think as painful as these three years have been, I think seeing all of these memories as well reminds the team that we can do it,” he said.

An Enduring legacy

The past three seasons have been challenging for the Brackley squad, a stark contrast to the dominant years of Hamilton’s championship reign.

However, Russell emphasized that the core of the team remains the same, and Hamilton’s legacy serves as both a reminder of past triumphs and a source of inspiration for the future.

“We have the same team as was there during Lewis’s glory years,” Russell said in Abu Dhabi last month, quoted by RACER. 

“Lewis even said after the debrief [in Abu Dhabi], everyone had their head in their hands after what happened in qualifying, but he said, ‘Look, let’s stand tall and not forget of all these pole positions and wins that we’ve had together.’

“I think it’s been a very nice way to finish this season.”

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Looking ahead, Russell sees Hamilton’s departure as a turning point, a chance for the team to reset and reignite its competitive drive.

“It has been a tough three years, and I think this change for everyone is really going to spark a lot of motivation for everyone,” he added. “And I think sometimes change is really much needed.”

Lessons Beyond the Track

While Hamilton’s driving abilities have cemented him as one of Formula 1’s greatest, Russell noted that his personal lessons from the seven-time champion extend beyond racing.

“To be honest, just seeing first hand what a role model he is,” said the three-time Grand Prix winner.

“I recognize from Lewis that we’ve all got this platform, and we have to use it correctly. That’s become even more apparent to me when, with my young niece and nephews watching TikTok and YouTube and Netflix.

“I spend a bit of time with Toto’s son, he and his friends see Netflix and all of this stuff.”

Russell reflected on the broader influence F1 drivers have, particularly on younger audiences. He recounted how, as a child, he once looked up to Hamilton, a figure who has now become his teammate and mentor.

“And how you deal with the victories, how you deal with the losses, you inspire the young kids, and… when I look back to that photo I had of Lewis and I when I was a kid, I looked up to him, the same way as all these kids look up to us,” he said.

The experience has taught Russell the importance of measured actions and words, especially when under public scrutiny.

“I think that’s probably been the biggest life lesson that I’ve learned from him, that sometimes, even if you want to really express something, there’s hundreds of millions of people watching, and the way you do it is important,” Russell said.

A New Era Beckons

As Mercedes prepares to tackle 2025 without Hamilton, the team finds itself at a crossroads.

While Hamilton’s departure marks the end of an era, Russell is confident it also heralds the beginning of an exciting new chapter.

His words echo the sentiment within the team: a determination to channel change into progress and to return to the dominance that defined Hamilton’s tenure.

For Russell, the opportunity to lead the team in this new phase is both a challenge and a privilege—one he approaches with the lessons of his predecessor firmly in mind.