Will Hamilton be number one at Mercedes in 2023? 'I dare not say'

Lewis Hamilton is part of Mercedes next season, but it is questionable whether his team considers him to be its first driver. Indeed, George Russell did an excellent job this calendar year and is in a good position at Mercedes. Sascha Roos thinks the German formation will wait for the early stages of the season.

The commentator from Sky Sports Germany spoke to the medium prior to the racing year about expectations and looks back on the season this month. According to Roos, the year was remarkable on several fronts, citing Hamilton and Russell as examples.

Russell makes leap at Mercedes

It was expected that Hamilton would keep his teammate behind him in his first season, but nothing was further from the truth. The talented Briton scored more points than Hamilton and therefore did himself a good service for next season. Indeed, Russell may soon be the team's first driver.

"I didn't expect Russell to score more points than Hamilton," Roos says. "I think Hamilton will come back next season, but whether he will be the undisputed number one I dare not say. I think at Mercedes we are going to see a similar situation to the heyday of Nico Rosberg and Hamilton."

"I am pretty sure that they will start the new season at about the same level and that after a few races within the team they will decide who to rely on. Of course, that also depends on the performance of the car in the first races."