Lewis Hamilton could have misplaced to George Russell final season however Johnny Herbert reckons he might win the team-mate tussle this 12 months as he rises to the “actually sizzling” stress of figuring out his team-mate will push him.
As Mercedes struggled in Formulation 1’s first 12 months of racing floor impact aerodynamic vehicles, the W13 not solely struggling with excessive porpoising but additionally having a small working window, it was Russell who coped finest.
The previous Williams driver not solely secured Mercedes’ solely win of the championship, P1 on the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, however he out-scored Hamilton by 275 factors to 240.
In doing so he turned solely the third team-mate in Hamilton’s F1 profession to beat the seven-time World Champion within the total standings.
Herbert explains why he thinks Russell was in a position to get the higher of his compatriot.
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“I believe Lewis began final 12 months most likely somewhat bit annoyed, figuring out the automotive wasn’t nice,” the previous F1 driver instructed Complete-Motorsport.com.
“I don’t assume he had the suitable psychological method as a result of he was most likely annoyed, as a racing driver can be as a seven-time World Champion, attempting to get eighth, which was taken away from him.”
Herbert backs Hamilton to ‘up his recreation’
He, nevertheless, believes the 35-year-old will come again stronger this season.
“Now that chance has reset to get himself mentally and bodily ready [for this season],” he continued.
“It’s a superb factor, possibly for Lewis, figuring out that the stress goes to be actually sizzling from George.”
The previous Sky Sports activities pundit believes Hamilton is now nicely conscious of the problem that Russell poses, and as with all intra-team battle, that can have the 103-time grand prix winner elevating his personal recreation.
“It may be a really constructive factor for a driver to know your team-mate goes to be sturdy, to be pushed,” he stated. “You understand it’s good to up your recreation straightaway.
“Lewis has executed that previously however he’s coming to the tip of his profession.”
However there’ll be a ‘crossover sooner or later’
Whereas Herbert thinks Hamilton might hit the entrance once more this season, not less than at Mercedes, he acknowledges there’ll come a time when there’s a altering of the guard.
Some pundits imagine it’s already occurred final season, nevertheless, Herbert doubts that.
He stated: “Issues change as you become older and when you have got a younger whippersnapper coming in, who’s hungry for that success, there’s going to be a crossover sooner or later.
“Will that be this 12 months? I might be stunned.
“However I believe it’s gonna be a mighty, tight tussle with George very hungry to try to take the reins away from Lewis, who received’t quit very simply as nicely. That’s what we would like.”