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Toto Wolff insists Lewis Hamilton is NOT Mercedes No1 as George Russell prepares for his debut season at reigning champs

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TOTTO WOLFF insisted Lewis Hamilton is not the No1 man at Mercedes – because the team do not rank their drivers.

Hamilton has a new team-mate with the Silver Arrows this season.

Toto Wolff claims there is no hierarchy between Lewis Hamilton and George RussellCredit: AFP

George Russell returned from his loan at Williams and is ready to compete for the title in his debut season with the reigning constructors’ champions.

And team principal Wolff denied suggestions Russell is simply there to support Hamilton on the track.

The Austrian said to Sky Sports: “We never had a situation where one and two.

“They have equal opportunities and the same car.

“This year, the interesting situation is we have in George the up-and-coming star [in one seat], and undoubtedly the best Formula One driver ever in the other seat.

“So the dynamic is new and clearly it’s something that we will try to steer in a direction that has the most positive effect on developing the car and making us overall competitive.”

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Valtteri Bottas spent five years alongside Hamilton at Mercedes, but it was clear he played second fiddle to the Brit.

They won five constructors’ championships together but Hamilton fell agonisingly short of an eighth drivers’ title on the final lap in Abu Dhabi in December.

Now with Alfa Romeo, Bottas revealed he found it tough as the obvious No2.

He told SunSport: “When I joined Mercedes, it was difficult for me to take the lead because of Lewis being there.

“With him being in the team, it was always difficult for me to take that lead role.

“So now it is different and a fresh start for me — and having that lead role is a good feeling.

“There were great moments and I enjoyed working with Lewis and Toto, but I am also really excited for my new chapter.”

‘WORK WELL TOGETHER’

Speaking at Mercedes’ launch of their new 2022 season car last week, Russell was confident he and Hamilton will make a strong partnership.

The 24-year-old from King’s Lynn said: “I think we’re pretty similar. Time will tell.

“From what I’ve seen, I do think we have a similar way of driving, where we always try and find the limit of the tyre, but not often trying to go over the limit.

“[We’re] pretty smooth in our general approach… I think we’ll be in a very similar boat. I have no doubt that we’ll be working well together.”

The first days of pre-season testing take place this week with another round in March before the F1 season gets underway in Bahrain on March 20.

Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk

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