George Russell explains how ‘Montreal GOAT’ Lewis Hamilton helped him reach ‘another level’ at the Ca… read more
George Russell’s standout performance at the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix was a moment of brilliance that reminded the paddock why he’s considered one of the top young talents in Formula 1. The Mercedes driver pulled off a shock result by securing pole position in Montreal, outpacing even Max Verstappen and the in-form McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. But Russell was quick to share the credit for his success, revealing that he had been inspired and aided by none other than his seven-time world champion teammate, Lewis Hamilton — someone he referred to as the “Montreal GOAT.”
Russell’s pole position lap was described as “perfectly measured,” displaying maturity and control in tricky conditions that fluctuated throughout the qualifying session. But rather than bask in the individual glory, Russell acknowledged the influence Hamilton has had on him, particularly at a track where the veteran has enjoyed immense success. Hamilton, who has won seven times in Canada — matching Michael Schumacher’s record — has long been known for his mastery of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. That experience, Russell said, proved invaluable during Mercedes’ preparation.
In the lead-up to qualifying, Russell revealed he had spent significant time studying Hamilton’s past data and debrief notes from previous Canadian Grands Prix. “Lewis is incredibly quick around Montreal,” Russell said. “There’s a reason they call him the GOAT here. I’ve learned a lot just by watching how he approaches this circuit — his braking points, how he builds tyre temperature, and even his approach to overtaking into the final chicane. All of that has helped me elevate my own performance.”
The pole position was a much-needed morale boost for Russell and Mercedes, who have endured a challenging 2025 season with inconsistent results and a car that’s struggled to match Red Bull, McLaren, and Ferrari over race distance. Yet, in Canada, the Silver Arrows appeared to unlock a better balance and Russell was able to extract the most from the car when it mattered most. “We’ve been chipping away at the setup all weekend,” Russell explained. “And having Lewis’ experience to fall back on — especially with all his wins here — gave us an edge.”
Hamilton himself was gracious in response, congratulating his teammate and emphasizing the collaborative environment within the Mercedes camp. “I’m really proud of George,” Hamilton said. “We push each other hard, and that’s what you want as teammates. We both want the team to succeed, and Montreal is a special place for me — so if I can help the team in any way by sharing what I’ve learned, I’m always happy to do that.”
The two drivers’ dynamic has evolved considerably since Russell joined Mercedes in 2022. While they are fierce competitors on track, their relationship off track has been one of mutual respect and learning. In Canada, that synergy paid off, not just for Russell personally, but for Mercedes as a whole, who saw both cars qualify inside the top five — a feat that’s been rare in recent months.
Although Russell wasn’t able to convert pole into a race win — finishing on the podium instead — the result marked a turning point in what has been an up-and-down season. It also signaled that the Brackley-based team may finally be narrowing the performance gap to the front runners, thanks in part to the shared insights of one of F1’s greatest-ever drivers and his protégé.
Looking ahead, Russell is optimistic that this upward trend can continue. “I’ve taken another step forward this weekend,” he said. “And a lot of that comes down to having Lewis as a benchmark. If I can keep building on that, there’s no reason we can’t be fighting at the front more consistently.”
In the high-pressure world of Formula 1, success is often seen as an individual pursuit. But in Montreal, George Russell showed that learning from the best — and acknowledging their influence — can take a driver to another level.
