George Russell has insisted that his relationship with Lewis Hamilton was not affected when the seven-time Formula 1 champion announced his move to Ferrari.
The pair of Englishmen enjoyed their final season together at Mercedes in 2024, with Hamilton revealing his decision to join the Italian team in February last year.
When asked if their relationship had suffered due to the early announcement, Russell told GPblog: "No, not at all. The relationship's good."
However, despite Russell's positive assessment, Hamilton claimed during their final season together that his younger team-mate was receiving preferential treatment from Mercedes due to his impending departure - allegations that were denied by team bosses.
George Russell looked up to Lewis Hamilton when he was younger
Reuters
The two drivers are now set to compete against each other at this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix, but as rivals rather than team-mates.
The team's decision to award their sole front wing upgrade to Russell at last year's Monaco GP became a particular point of contention. Hamilton felt this disadvantaged him in qualifying sessions.
"I anticipated it would be difficult to out-qualify George because he has the upgraded component, but it's just great to see that we are bringing upgrades," Hamilton said at the time.
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He added: "But once we got to qualifying...I don't understand. I already know automatically that I'm going to lose two-tenths going into qualifying, and that's definitely frustrating."
The British driver was candid about his expectations for the remainder of their partnership, stating: "I don't anticipate being ahead of George in qualifying particularly this year, but we've just got to keep pushing, and the races are strong."
When pressed to elaborate on his feelings of favouritism, Hamilton simply responded: "We'll see."
Mercedes Petronas CEO Toto Wolff downplayed Hamilton's concerns about favouritism within the team at the time of the controversy.
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Toto Wolff has always been adamant there was no favouritism at Mercedes
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"Aren't all drivers a bit sceptical at times?" Wolff questioned. "As a team we have always demonstrated - even in the most tense competitions between team-mates - that we are always trying to balance what is right and be transparent and fair."
Wolff acknowledged that drivers might question decisions when results don't go their way but reaffirmed the team's commitment to equality.
"As a team we are 100 per cent on a mission of giving both drivers the best possible cars and strategies," he explained. "We are trying to do the best out of the relationship (with Hamilton), trying to maximise the results for what is our final season together."
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The Mercedes boss added: "That situation between drivers and teams can be tense at times because everybody wants to do the best."
Now, almost a year after Hamilton's departure, the two British drivers find themselves in contrasting situations. Russell has enjoyed a strong start to the 2025 season alongside his new Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli.
The 27-year-old has secured four podium finishes so far this year and currently sits fourth in the F1 Championship standings, on the verge of breaking the 100-point mark.
Lewis Hamilton is still adapting to life in red
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Hamilton, meanwhile, has struggled to make an impact since joining Ferrari. The seven-time world champion is currently sixth in the standings, two places below his former teammate, and has yet to secure a win or podium finish with the Italian team.
His best result of the season came at this month's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, where he finished fourth.
