At the end of the 2016 season, Mercedes could breathe a sigh of relief. World champion Nico Rosberg and his rival Lewis Hamilton were too much for the entire team.
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The Brackley outfit had to bring in team commands to control the madness on the track, not once, but far too often. But even the generally powerful team orders could not keep the duo away from each other at times. So from now on Mercedes could only hope.
After Rosberg’s unexpected resignation in December 2016, the team brought on a rather calm Valtteri Bottas, who eventually got the role of a wingman for Hamilton. What followed was a peaceful five-year period for Mercedes.
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But could they end up starting over with George Russell?
Rosberg fears a repeat of 2016 for Mercedes
As reported by Planet F1, Rosberg said that Mercedes could well come under immense pressure again after signing George Russell. The young Brit was in incredible shape in the 2021 season.
So if he could bring that level of performance into 2022 with a much superior Mercedes car and challenge Hamilton, the team would have an intense F1 season in 2022; The seven-time world champion won’t spare a quarter, especially after a season in which he lost to another young driver, Max Verstappen.
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN – Great Britain’s George Russell and Mercedes GP prepare to start the grid ahead of the Sakhir F1 Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Peter Fox / Getty Images)
“It was a difficult decision for Toto because the risk is quite high. If George is really at the same pace as Lewis, the team could get really intense, ”he told Sky Sports.
“There are a lot of strangers, will George always withdraw or will he get his elbows out? It will be just great to see. “
The ugliest moments in the Hamilton-Rosberg rivalry
Bahrain will choose the main driver?
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On paper, there’s no denying that Hamilton will lead the team into the 2022 season. But also when it comes to performance, Russell is no stranger and as driver number 1 he can definitely lead; his praiseworthy performance at Williams proves it too. Will Bahrain deliver the verdict? Most likely.
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN – Great Britain and Mercedes GP runner-up George Russell looks on at Parc Ferme during qualifying prior to the Sakhir F1 Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Dan Istitene – Formula 1 / Formula 1 via Getty Images)
Hamilton will be suspicious of Russell at the season opener considering the latter had a one-off show at the Sakhir GP last season. The Brit almost won his first race as a Mercedes driver before it became official.
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So could Russell do a similar feat to take the championship against Hamilton? Will Toto Wolff have his hands full again in the meantime? Only time can tell.
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