Ben Hunt is an award-winning motorsport journalist with over two decades of experience in Formula 1 and international media. As a former editor-in-chief and bestselling author, he delivers in-depth analysis and strategic insight from the highest level of the sport.
George Russell has backed Lewis Hamilton's claim that he is 'built differently', a few days after the seven-time world champion said once again that retirement is not on his radar. Russell, his former teammate at Mercedes, said Hamilton's refusal to take a year off says a lot about his character. He also drew a contrast with Max Verstappen, whose interests reach well beyond Formula 1.
Russell made the comments in the build-up to Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix. That race was Hamilton's 400th start, which put him alongside Fernando Alonso as only the second member of F1's '400 club'. Hamilton made his debut at the 2007 Australian Grand Prix and is now in his 20th season in the sport.
The milestone weekend itself went badly as the Ferrari driver spun when he tried another lap on slick tyres at Interlagos. Afterwards he told reporters it had been a "really tough day and weekend, I think for the whole team".
Russell agrees Hamilton is built differently
Hamilton first made the claim when he spoke to the media in Mexico City. "I mean, firstly, you've never had anyone like me here in the seventy years [of the sport]. So I feel that I'm built differently. Of course, there are challenges up ahead that I can't foresee that come with age," he said. He added that he would keep racing for the foreseeable future, as long as he still enjoys it.
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Russell partnered Hamilton at Mercedes for three seasons, from 2022 to 2024, and he had no argument with that view.
What he's achieved on and off track has been incredible. He's an inspiration to so many. The fact that he's not had a year off just shows the sort of character he is, and he is definitely built differently to a number of other athletes around the world. But that's why he's one of the best ever.- George Russell
Russell contrasts Hamilton with Verstappen
Russell also pointed to a difference between Hamilton and his old title rival. "He loves Formula 1, doesn't have much interest in other racing series outside of Formula 1, because this is the pinnacle, and I respect that," he said, according to PlanetF1. Verstappen, by contrast, has become more and more involved in GT racing alongside his F1 commitments, including a GT3 outing at Portimão during the October break.
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Russell made it clear he was not criticising either approach. "I respect Verstappen on the other side, who's got a lot of interest in other racing series outside [F1]," he continued. "But he's [Hamilton] still going strong, and this season, it's probably been his best season in Formula 1 since 2021."
Hamilton's Ferrari future points beyond 2026
Russell's assessment comes as Hamilton enjoys his most competitive spell in years. In Mexico he took his first pole position for Ferrari and finished second, although a first-lap clash with Charles Leclerc cost the team a possible one-two.
Nothing suggests he is about to walk away. In August, it was widely reported that Hamilton would stay at Ferrari until at least 2027, although neither the driver nor the team has confirmed it.
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Back in June, however, those dates were corrected to 2028 indicating that at 41, Hamilton seems to be planning for the long term.
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