Russell suggests Hamilton may be hurting his own cause at Ferrari

George Russell has weighed in on Lewis Hamilton’s challenging start to life at Ferrari, suggesting the seven-time World Champion could be pushing both himself and his new team “over the top” in pursuit of immediate results – a mindset that may be “counterproductive.”

Hamilton’s switch from Mercedes to Ferrari for the 2025 Formula 1 season was one of the most seismic moves in recent F1 history.

The Brit, seeking to reignite his quest for a record-breaking eighth world title, hoped that Ferrari would offer a fresh path to the front after three winless years at Mercedes.

So far, however, the results have been disappointing. Hamilton claimed a Sprint victory in China and has recently outqualified Charles Leclerc in back-to-back races for the first time, but it is Leclerc who has delivered all three of Ferrari’s podium finishes. The Monegasque also sits 25 points ahead in the standings.

Russell Reflects on Pressure, Performance, and Perspective

Speaking ahead of last weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix, Russell, who partnered Hamilton at Mercedes from 2022 to 2024, hinted that Hamilton’s mentality as a serial winner might be creating unhelpful pressure.

“I think when you’re a seven-time World Champion, anything less than victory is failure,” Russell said.

“And you’re probably pushing yourself and your team over the top to achieve beyond the potential, to try and achieve these great results, and potentially it’s counterproductive.”

Russell praised Hamilton’s performances when at his best, referencing standout drives.

“What I saw last year is that when he was on his A-game, he was a real competitor to me and he was driving amazingly. We saw it at Silverstone last year. Saw it China this year. You know it’s possible.”

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He added that frustration isn’t limited to Hamilton.

“Unless you’re in the orange car, at the moment, the chance of victory is slim, and for all of us, it’s frustrating.

“It’s frustrating for me, it’s frustrating for Leclerc. Charles is such a great driver as well, and hasn’t had a shot at a championship properly… but that’s the nature of this sport.”

Alonso: “He Can Turn Things Around Very Quickly”

Fernando Alonso, Hamilton’s former McLaren teammate from 2007, offered a measured perspective when asked for his take on Hamilton’s form.

“What’s wrong with him? I have no idea,” the Aston Martin driver said. “Lewis is a great driver, he’s capable of exploiting all his strengths.

“After 24 races, we’ll do the math: he’s struggling now, but he can turn things around very quickly.”

Alonso also compared Hamilton’s current situation to previous seasons, noting similarities in car behaviour and intra-team dynamics.

“I don’t think the situation has changed much compared to last year with Russell. Then, the Mercedes was apparently difficult to drive and Russell was more comfortable. This year seems to be the same.

“But, it’s difficult to give an opinion without having all the information.”

Hamilton’s multi-year contract with Ferrari extends into F1’s 2026 rules reset, giving both team and driver a longer runway to chase success – but for now, the pressure to deliver is already building.

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