1996 Formula 1 champion Damon Hill contends George Russell’s mistakes in the Canadian Grand Prix derived from pushing too hard to prove his worth to Mercedes.
Russell was in contention to end Mercedes’ win drought in the Canadian Grand Prix last weekend, but he rued two errors that saw him slip from pole position to third.
The Briton relinquished a spot to eventual race victor Max Verstappen when he cut across the final chicane on Lap 22 as McLaren’s Lando Norris passed him for first.
Although Russell regained the position on his compatriot once the track dried later in the race, a wide moment at Turn 8 would enable Norris to reclaim second place.
That prompted Mercedes boss Toto Wolff to make a rare radio intervention to tell Russell to “focus”, but Hill suspects the message would have had a negative impact.
“I think it can be slightly undermining if you’re getting coached by your team boss over the team radio over the race, being told to focus,” Hill told the Ski F1 podcast.
The ex-Williams driver’s blunders in Montreal were not quite as catastrophic as the late crashes in Singapore last term which cost him a podium or Australia in March.
However, Hill is convinced that Russell’s tendency to make mishaps at critical moments could be resolved with Mercedes showing more faith in him to lead the team.
Russell is in line to become the more experienced name at Mercedes should Andrea Kimi Antonelli be promoted to replace Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton next season.
“I do think this is a problem for George,” the Briton explained. “He’s been there at Mercedes now… they’ve not had a great run but he’s definitely doing the job for them.
“Lewis is off to Ferrari next year. He’s trying to establish himself as the lead driver and he’s yet to achieve that.
“I think because they’re talking all the time about who his teammate is going to be for next year rather than talking up George.
“I think Mercedes ought to back him a bit harder, give him a bit more confidence and then he doesn’t perhaps have to try so hard to prove himself in the race because it seems to me he’s trying to compensate a little bit for stuff.
“I think he needs to cool it. He’s got the speed, he’s got the ability, he’s very intelligent. I am sure he can deliver for them if they give him a bit more comfort there.”
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