Lewis Hamilton and George Russell clash in Japanese GP as Mercedes' tactics spark controversy
- Rob Fleming
- 25 September 2023
In a high-stakes showdown at the Japanese Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell found themselves at odds with Mercedes' race tactics.
The battle unfolded on the Suzuka circuit, where the seven-time world champion finished fifth, narrowly edging out Russell in a thrilling race that left fans buzzing.
The sparks began to fly early on when Russell executed a daring overtake on Hamilton, only to relinquish the position moments later. Tensions escalated further as the two teammates went wheel-to-wheel, voicing their frustration over the team radio.
Their most significant altercation occurred when Hamilton aggressively pushed Russell off the track during a gripping skirmish. To add to the drama, the duo couldn't agree on how to fend off Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, who loomed large in their mirrors.
Russell's tire strategy came into play, as he struggled with a one-stop plan while others opted for a two-stop strategy. Hamilton pleaded with his team to let him pass, arguing that he had a better chance of holding off Sainz. Russell initially resisted, but the team issued a clear order: "This is an instruction, George." Reluctantly, Russell yielded to his teammate.
Hamilton, now in front, was tasked with staying within the DRS (Drag Reduction System) range to assist Russell in fending off Sainz. This strategic move mirrored Sainz's tactics against Russell in the previous week's race in Singapore.
Hamilton later reflected on the race, saying, "We should have swapped around earlier and I should have got as far ahead as possible to get the gap as big as we could to the Ferrari. Because he (Russell) was trying to fight me, he was damaging his tires, and I think it just made it all complicated."
He emphasized that, in the team championship, the drivers' individual positions were not as crucial as ensuring one of them finished ahead of the Ferrari. "Today we really needed to work as a team," Hamilton concluded.
The disagreement didn't end there, as Hamilton also expressed dissatisfaction with the team's DRS strategy. "I don't think that was a good idea at all," he remarked. "When they suggested it to me, I knew that they obviously thought of it from the last race but it made no sense."
Despite his effort to create a gap, Hamilton had to ease off the throttle to allow Russell DRS, which ultimately allowed Sainz to overtake. "He then got past George and he was right on my tail, which was not ideal," Hamilton added.
Notably, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff was absent from this race due to knee surgery, leaving his duties to other staff members who managed the team via intercom.
The outcome of this event had repercussions in the Constructors' Championship, with Mercedes seeing their lead over Ferrari shrink. Red Bull clinched the Constructors' title with an astonishing six races still remaining in the season.
Max Verstappen secured victory at Suzuka, while the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri joined him on the podium, ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.
Russell, who ultimately finished behind Sainz, maintained a positive outlook, stating, "The main goal is to finish P2 in the Constructors' Championship. The drivers' championship is out of the window for me totally. Lewis is in a good place to fight for a good position."
He viewed the on-track battles with Hamilton as "good, hard racing" and emphasized the team's overarching goal of outperforming Ferrari. Russell concluded, "We have bigger fish to fry, which is how do we make the car go quicker."
In a race packed with drama, the Mercedes team's internal dynamics took centre stage, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this thrilling Formula 1 season.
