George Russell has been learning from Lewis Hamilton’s approach to Formula 1 and adopting some of the world champion’s techniques to improve his race performances.
The Mercedes junior driver has had the opportunity to observe Hamilton at close quarters through his work with the team. He described the five-times champion as “the most complete driver I’ve ever ever come across”.“With the details and everything, he’s exceptional,” said Russell. “I think I can learn a lot from him.”
Russell said Hamilton’s work ethic is under-appreciated by some.
“I recognise that he doesn’t just rely on natural talent to be quick,” he said in response to a question from RaceFans. “He goes into every single detail to try and be better and better.
“[He’s] one of the most hardworking people I’ve come across in the paddock which I think shocks a lot of people. There’s definitely a few little techniques I saw him doing that I’ve tried to adopt to help me go faster. Especially in a race distance, less so over one lap.”
Russell is experiencing the Marina Bay circuit for the first time this weekend. He says the approach to tyre preparation in Singapore is very different to other circuits he’s driven at.
“It’s just a unique place isn’t it? You’ve got such a long lap. You’ve got a really tight and twisty sector three where you can win and lose a lot of lap time.
“So I think it’ll almost be a compromise that you can’t take too much out of a tyre to open a lap and you need it in a better window at the end of the lap. You almost want to be hitting that peak grip by about mid-lap, really, which is odd because at every other track you’re trying to hit the peak grip at turn one and carry it through the lap.”
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Andy (@andycz)
20th September 2019, 12:23
Like wearing useless glasses? Just sayin’ :D…
Dean
20th September 2019, 12:51
Or winning 6 WDCs? Just saying.
bob (@riptide)
20th September 2019, 13:11
I didn’t know getting $2 million for wearing a product when not in the car was a technique to aid driving. Does Max holding a red bull can help his cornering?
Although I suppose Ham wearing Hilfiger does improve things as Mercedes get $50 million from Hilfiger (and Ham $8 million) which allows them to spend more time and money on aids to improve technique. Like buying a new A4 book for Ham as that what he use as his ‘bible’.
erikje
20th September 2019, 19:22
not in the car. you need both hands woth al those features on the steering wheel.
Wearing some glasses is way easier ;)
NewVerstappenFan (@jureo)
20th September 2019, 13:18
Glasses are to help with jet-lag. They are not useless.
He could hardly pick a better driver role model. Hamilton was able to raise his game year after year. It is easy to imagine it is just talent, but there are many drivers with supreme talent around with 0 championships.
Applebook
20th September 2019, 16:02
Good point. In fact there are plenty of very talented drivers who never even made it into F1 or another top series. You need talent AND hard work (unless you’re Stroll).
spoutnik (@spoutnik)
20th September 2019, 22:54
Never thought about jet lag but it makes sense indeed.
Neil (@neilosjames)
20th September 2019, 13:54
Have Williams signed a sponsorship deal with the OAP section of Specsavers?
erikje
20th September 2019, 19:24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDwK_AUk0FI
Aldoid
20th September 2019, 13:59
Smart lad. As I’ve always said, anyone who hasn’t realized Hamilton’s skill (and the effort he puts into his performance) by now isn’t someone who’s opinion on motorsport should be taken seriously.
Andy Bunting (@wildbiker)
20th September 2019, 16:17
100% Correct!
Remember all the F1 has beens constantly criticising LH’s PlayBoy Lifestyle?
He’s by dint of sheer dedication, hard work & massive determination. Shut them all down.
Not one of that yammering, yapping pack of whorewolves has ever had the decency, or balls, to admit just how wrong they actually were regarding LH’s lifestyle.
Stephen Crowsen (@drycrust)
20th September 2019, 20:06
Don’t forget Hamilton’s vegan dietary plan. Russell needs to have a chat to the cooks at Williams.
wayne
21st September 2019, 9:52
hamilton has been fighting at the front for most years he is the only 1 to to beat the redbulls to pole in 1 of the years of redbulls dominance. he knows pressure. he does know loss. but he k ows how to win so much more. in this time he is definitely the best to learn from.