Russell: "It's pretty stupid to bet against Hamilton and Mercedes"

George Russell thinks it is 'pretty stupid' to write off Mercedes in the battle for the 2021 Formula One championship, even at times when the odds seem to be falling towards Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen.

Russell, who will drive alongside Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in 2022, says his future employer can never be blotted out. "I’ve been saying it for a long, long time – when Max and Red Bull seem to have the upper hand, I think it would be pretty stupid to bet against Lewis and Mercedes," says the young Briton in conversation with Motorsportweek.com.

Russell wants to work closely with Hamilton

"I think last weekend and recent races have proved that," he continued. "The fact they’re still in this fight is pretty exceptional and obviously what Lewis did last week was also exceptional."

With the introduction of the new 2022 regulations, Russell believes it will be extra important to work closely with Hamilton on his switch to Mercedes. "I think there will be a lot of updates and improvements next year and a lot of things to work on throughout the season," said the Williams driver.

"I think we are all going to have to come together as a team. There’s no guarantee as to who has the fastest car when you hit the ground in the first test. I think it’s whoever works best as a team who will prevail at the end of the season. I think that’s for sure we will work together to do that," Russell concluded.