An underperforming Mercedes is forcing a positive Hamilton/Russell dynamic

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell are not where they wanted to be at the start of this new era. For Hamilton, it was meant to be the car that would deliver, in their eyes, some redemption for what happened in Abu Dhabi. For Russell, it was meant to be the car that would finally put him in a realistic place to take Grand Prix victories after years parked at the back with Williams.

Only three races have been completed and there’s still plenty of time to turn it around with a world record calendar. Remarkably, in terms of points, Russell is Charles Leclerc’s nearest rival. In performance terms, they’ve been miles away from Red Bull and Ferrari, but to see their positive results has to be pleasing for those at the factory.

The motivation inside the Mercedes camp has to be at an all-time high. There’s a popular paddock theory doing the rounds: ‘Mercedes have a beast of a car, and once they fix porpoising they will be able to unlock its potential'. Hamilton and Russell are having to work together to find that potential. If they both want to be fighting for race wins later in the season, they both have to collaborate as best as they possibly can. A poor car has forced them to come together.

The Hamilton/Russell dynamic became one of the biggest talking points during the winter break. A lot of speculation on how the outcome of the cross-generational relationship would work out. Would Russell really force it upon Hamilton alike Nico Rosberg, or would he become another Valtteri Bottas wingman? All that has been put on pause and thrown out of the window. Russell and Hamilton have to be working together, and almost be the best of friends to try and fix the Mercedes troubles. And we’re already seeing the fruits of Hamilton’s efforts on social media. In Australia, Hamilton said he took Russell surfboarding.

After the Australian Grand Prix, Hamilton was keen to congratulate Russell on his first podium for the team. Both a post on Instagram and a story acknowledged this fact. This is something we didn’t often see during his time as a teammate to Bottas or Rosberg.