Russell compares: 'Hamilton's results have got worse'

George Russell has impressed Mercedes during the first half of the season. The Briton has so far amassed more points than Lewis Hamilton and is fourth in the drivers' championship. However, Russell believes his teammate is highly motivated to score well.

Russell made the switch to Mercedes' top team after three years with Williams. This season, however, the W13 has struggled to keep up with Red Bull Racing and Ferrari on the track. Compared to the start of the season Mercedes has made a lot of progress, but the team still hasn't won.

At Williams, Russell had to fight for every point. Fans and pundits, therefore, believe that the Briton had an easier time of it in the W13 at the start of the season because he is used to driving a mediocre car. Hamilton, on the other hand, was only familiar with a dominant car with which Mercedes won the constructors' championship eight years in a row.

"My results have definitely improved, while his [Hamilton's] have got worse. Lewis is hungry. This challenge motivates him even more. He will be around for many years to come. I don't see him slowing down. The energy, the fire that burns in him, is extraordinary. That pulls me along", Russell says in an interview with Auto, Motor und Sport.

Meanwhile Hamilton has finished on the podium five times in a row in recent races. The seven-time world champion seems to be getting more and more comfortable in the Mercedes. Russell managed a surprising pole position in Hungary, but Hamilton drove to P2 from the seventh starting position.