'That Hamilton lifted his game was a wake-up call for Russell'

Karun Chandhok can imagine that Lewis Hamilton was less motivated to pull out all the stops in 2022. The former F1 driver compares the Briton's season to Ayrton Senna's in 1993.

After eight years of dominating Formula 1, Mercedes came out cold in 2022. At the start of the season, the car was not competitive and porpoising was a major problem. Lewis Hamilton once again saw his eighth world title go by the wayside and may therefore have been less motivated.

Hamilton's lack of motivation

''Lewis, at the start of the year, I'm sure his motivation wasn't there and I can understand that. It reminded me of Senna in 1993, this was a guy who was the number one driver of his generation, he arrives at the opening race and goes 'God, I'm only capable of qualifying on the third row of the grid'',' Chandhok said in Sky Sports' Season Review.

George Russell started his first year with Mercedes and immediately looked good compared to the seven-time world champion. After the summer break, however, Lewis stepped up a gear. ''I think he had a bit of a wake-up call in that middle part of the year when Lewis lifted his game, and I think George went on a run where he couldn't get ahead. I think he thought 'woah, I've woken the beast!'.''

Still, Chandhok concludes by complimenting Russell, as the young Briton was able to win the Brazilian Grand Prix despite those setbacks at the end of the season, marking Mercedes' only victory in 2022. Russell also finished in the championship with more points than his teammate.