Russell ensured to be on 'level terms' with Hamilton
George Russell says Mercedes have made it "very clear" to him that he will be on "level terms" with Lewis Hamilton next season.
Mercedes officially announced this week that Russell will take over Valtteri Bottas' seat at the Brackley squad after his successful three-year apprenticeship in F1 with Williams.
The move represents a massive break in the career of the 23-year-old who is seen by Mercedes as Hamilton's worthy successor.
But the young gun is expected to fight for race wins from the outset next season, having been ensured by his employer that he will be on an equal par with his seven-time world champion teammate.
However, Russell sees his maiden season alongside Hamilton first and foremost as an opportunity to learn.
©Instagram/LewisHamilton
"That was made very clear to me," Russell said at Monza on Thursday. "I think Mercedes are always respectful in that regard, to give both drivers the best opportunity.
"Naturally I believe in myself, and I have high aspirations. But equally I know just how tough it is going to be.
"Lewis is a seven-time world champion for a reason, and I think I’m in probably one of the most fortunate positions on the grid to be able to go out there and learn from him.
"For myself, I see this partnership with Mercedes as a long-term thing, and I guess I need to use next year as a real opportunity to learn, and take it race by race, and just see how I get on.
"But I’ve got no initial thoughts really."
Many pundits are predicting that Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff will have a challenging situation on his hands next year as he manages the inevitable rivalry between his drivers.
But Russell believes that Mercedes' past experience in dealing with inner-team tussles will keep everyone in line while protecting the outfit's harmony and stability.
"I think Mercedes have had clear experience of a poor dynamic within the team, and they’ve made it absolutely clear that they don’t want a repeat," Russell said.
"On a personal level as well, I don’t want that either. I think it’s so important as teammates to work together, to push the team.
"Next year it’s a new car and new regulations. There’s no guarantees who is going to have the fastest car. I guess it’s our job as drivers to push that forward," added the Briton.
"I'd say as well, Lewis and I are at very different stages of our career, which I think also helps, and I have a huge amount of respect for him, I think being so much younger and looking up to him as a young karting driver changes that dynamic a lot too.
"I don’t see there being any issues at all."
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