George Russell has shared with Motorsport.com that Mercedes has experienced a fresh beginning after Lewis Hamilton’s exit from the team ahead of the 2024 Formula 1 season. He views the Lewis Hamilton departure impact Mercedes as ultimately positive, benefiting both the team and the departing seven-time world champion.

Before the 2024 campaign began, Hamilton’s announcement that he would be leaving Mercedes for Scuderia Ferrari shocked many, as his tenure with the team seemed deeply entwined with their identity. Having joined Mercedes in 2013, Hamilton secured six more world titles with the outfit, bringing his total to seven, equaling Michael Schumacher’s historical record.

Adjusting to a Post-Hamilton Environment at Mercedes

Though Mercedes’ dominance diminished with the 2022 technical regulations introducing ground effect aerodynamics, Hamilton’s presence remained strongly associated with the team’s success. Yet, after several months into the new season, Mercedes appears to be adapting and evolving without him.

Russell, who took on the role of team leader after Hamilton’s departure, described the atmosphere at Mercedes as different. He stated,

“for sure, it’s a different feeling within the team”

—George Russell, Mercedes Team Leader.

Nevertheless, Russell emphasized that the primary focus remains on delivering strong performance on the track. Referring to the team’s season so far, he acknowledged both good and challenging moments:

“We obviously started really well. Now we’ve had a run of bad form. I hope we can get that back on track, but there’s always pros and cons to every change that you make in any organisation.”

—George Russell, Mercedes Team Leader.

Technical Upgrades and Performance Fluctuations in 2024

In the early part of the season, Mercedes introduced an upgraded suspension system aimed at better adapting to the 2022 technical regulations. However, the change led to more unpredictable car handling, contributing to a downturn in overall performance. Despite this, Russell secured a notable victory at the Canadian Grand Prix, and teammate Kimi Antonelli achieved his first career podium, signaling promising competitiveness within the team.

Russell Reflects on the Benefits of Transition

Russell sees Hamilton’s departure as a beneficial turning point. He explained,

“But I think the change was with Lewis,”

and added,

“It’s good for him. It’s really good for us as a team; a fresh start.”

He also noted,

“Sometimes you need to break that mould to find yourself back on track.”

—George Russell, Mercedes Team Leader.

This perspective highlights the team’s recognition of the need to evolve their approach and mindset, using the transition as an opportunity to realign their goals and strategies moving forward.

Preparing for Future Challenges Beyond 2024

With an improved grasp of the ground effect regulations, Mercedes appears ready to capitalize on the progress made during this period. Russell and Antonelli’s growing adaptation to the car indicates a promising outlook as the team looks ahead to the 2026 season, which will feature an entirely new set of technical regulations.

The ongoing development and lessons learned during 2024’s turbulent start are expected to serve Mercedes well in maintaining their competitiveness and responding to the challenges that lie ahead in Formula 1.