Russell was speaking in an episode of Netflix's newly-released Drive to Survive series - a chapter the Mercedes' PR machine envisaged would celebrate Hamilton's decision to stay with them.
Hamilton, after all, had signed a two-year contract extension last August to remain with the Silver Arrows until the end of 2025.
But following his shock decision to tear up his contract a year early in favour of a move to Ferrari, Russell's remarks shed a very public spotlight on the awkward dynamic that faces the grid's once-dominant team and its superstar driver ahead of the new season which starts in Bahrain on Saturday night.
Mercedes transformed Hamilton from a man with a single world championship to a one-man winning machine. He has seven world championships and 103 victories. No other driver in history can boast such an impressive resume.
This story is from the February 28, 2024 edition of The Herald.
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This story is from the February 28, 2024 edition of The Herald.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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