George Russell Offers Insightful Perspective on Lewis Hamilton’s F… read more
George Russell has offered a thought-provoking explanation for Lewis Hamilton’s ongoing difficulties at Ferrari, suggesting that the seven-time world champion may be “overdoing it” in his efforts to recapture past success. Hamilton, who moved to Ferrari at the start of the 2025 Formula 1 season after a storied career with Mercedes, has yet to find his rhythm at the Scuderia. Aside from a Sprint race pole and win in China, the legendary Briton has struggled to make a meaningful impact in the championship fight, with his best grand prix finish being fourth at Imola.
Hamilton’s underwhelming results were once again highlighted at the Spanish Grand Prix, where he finished sixth and sounded despondent over team radio. As pressure mounts and questions swirl over his adaptation to Ferrari machinery, Russell – who succeeded Hamilton as Mercedes’ lead driver – believes the root cause might lie in the psychological pressure Hamilton places on himself.
Speaking to the media, including RacingNews365, Russell commented, “I think when you are a seven-time world champion, anything less than victory is a failure. You’re probably pushing yourself and your team over the top to achieve beyond the potential.” Russell’s remarks suggest that Hamilton, accustomed to battling for wins and titles, may be pushing too hard to extract results from a car that simply isn’t capable of matching the current benchmark – McLaren or Red Bull.
Russell elaborated that this kind of mental approach, while understandable, could actually be detrimental. “It is potentially counterproductive,” he stated. “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, and again in China this year.”
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was met with immense fanfare, as many hoped the sport’s most decorated driver could resurrect the Italian team’s fortunes. However, the transition has so far proven to be more turbulent than triumphant. Unlike Mercedes, where Hamilton had built a team around him for over a decade, Ferrari presents a different challenge – both in car philosophy and internal dynamics. Russell’s theory implies that Hamilton’s struggles are less about Ferrari’s performance and more about a mismatch between ambition and reality.
While Russell acknowledges Hamilton’s capabilities, he also emphasized that in today’s grid, the odds are stacked against anyone not driving a McLaren – the team currently setting the pace. “For all of us, unless you are in the orange car at the moment, the chance of victory is slim,” Russell said, pointing out the frustrating situation many top drivers find themselves in. “It is frustrating for me, it is frustrating for Charles [Leclerc] – he is such a great driver and hasn’t had a shot at the championship since 2022 – but that’s the nature of this sport.”
Russell’s comments paint a picture of a sport in which even the most talented drivers can be limited by machinery. For Hamilton, the desire to elevate Ferrari may be clashing with the practical limitations of the car, leading to a cycle of overexertion and disappointment. Rather than a lack of ability or decline in form, Russell suggests that Hamilton’s struggles are born from an all-too-human drive to prove himself once more at the top.
As the season progresses, all eyes will remain on Hamilton to see whether he can adapt his mindset and coax better performances out of the Ferrari. Meanwhile, Russell’s candid assessment offers a rare glimpse into the psychological pressures faced by champions and the fine line between motivation and overextension.
