Formula 1: McLaren’s Lando Norris has delivered a searing evaluation of George Russell’s character, or absence of, since dumping Williams for Mercedes. The McLaren star has pointed a dig at Russell for showing less of a ‘fun side’ since making his big move alongside Lewis Hamilton at the Silver Arrows. Follow Formula 1 and French GP LIVE updates with InsideSport.IN
“My manager, my trainer [and] my parents have always tried to keep me as me, rather than try to shape me. I see other drivers get shaped more because of who they are with and the teams they are with, and I don’t think that is a good thing. It takes away their personality,” Norris said.
“Growing up with George, for instance, was a lot of fun. He was a great person. But it is different at Mercedes, with a different vibe and a different atmosphere. I just don’t see as fun a side of him. George is a great person, and I feel like the personality he had a few years ago, he would be even more popular,” Norris added.
Norris, 22, and Russell, 24, grew up together in the United Kingdom, ascending from the junior level to becoming rivals in Formula 2. After battling for the F2 title in the 2018 season, with Russell winning by 68 points difference, the two of them made the move forward into Formula 1 in 2019.
And keeping in mind that Norris would’ve without a doubt been glad for his fellow Brit joining Mercedes this season, he accepts the group has removed the fun from him. The McLaren racer has asserted that, in contrast to him, motivated by advice from those near him, Russell has been ‘formed’ in light of the group he’s representing as opposed to what he actually is.
Regardless of his unforgiving truth about Russell’s character shift since moving to Mercedes, Norris has felt for his long-lasting buddy because of the strain of driving under Toto Wolff as Hamilton’s newbie colleague.
Furthermore, he put forth certain to laud Russell for his attempts in a difficult first season with the Silver Arrows, in which he’s procured the name ‘Mr Consistent’ for getting the majority of the group’s troublesome package.
Death. Taxes. Seeing this @F1 graphic on a Monday. ❤️ https://t.co/0t8Yk9wums
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) June 20, 2022
“I don’t think it is Mercedes’ fault. But the pressure of being with Mercedes, and having Lewis [Hamilton] as a teammate, is never going to be an easy thing. You don’t want to be seen to be having a fun time and playing around. But on the other side, there are no complaints because George is doing an amazing job this year, so it is working for him,” Norris concluded.
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