Relationships among drivers in F1 can be an interesting thing and one that can change on a whim. In the past, Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton has spoken highly of fellow countryman, Mercedes junior driver program’s graduate and current Williams driver George Russell. However, last year, Russell deputized for Hamilton at the Sakhir GP as the latter contracted the Covid-19 virus. Russell put in an impressive performance where he almost won before a pit stop error ruined his race. However, he proved that in a fast car, he was a capable driver good enough to go after race wins. This led to rumors that it has rubbed Hamilton the wrong way. Toto Wolff has now responded to this rumor while speaking to oe24

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0:00 - Disclaimer
0:21 - Is Lewis Hamilton No Longer Talking To George Russell?
2:22 - Rapid Rumours

Hey everyone, welcome to another edition of “Rumour Round-Up” and as with the others, all the stories contained within this are to be taken with a grain of salt and haven’t been officially substantiated but are things that are being talked about in the world of F1 that may be interesting, could turn out to be true, or simply plain wrong. Without further delay, here is Rumour Roundup…

I'm your host Dillon Shelley and first up on Formula World:

Is Lewis Hamilton No Longer Talking To George Russell?

Apparently, Russell impressed everyone at Mercedes with his one-off appearance for the team. One of the key takeaways was Russell’s overtakes on Mercedes’ other driver Valtteri Bottas

This allegedly impressed the Mercedes brass and they see Russell as the future of the team. Supposedly, this didn’t sit well with Hamilton

Hamilton understandably might not want the team dynamics that he has going with Valtteri Bottas to change but Mercedes cannot ignore Russell’s capabilities forever

All three drivers will be without a contract at the end of this year and many teams will be looking for a new driver as well and Mercedes will have to choose between hiring Russell or potentially losing him to another team

Supposedly, Mercedes are keen on hiring Russell but rumour has it that Hamilton does not want a young and ambitious driver as his teammate which is why he is supposedly no longer in talking terms with Russell

When Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff was made aware of this rumor, he neither confirmed nor denied the alleged tenuous relationship between Lewis Hamilton and Geroge Russell

“This is the first time I have heard this. However, the feelings of my drivers are the last thing on my mind. I can imagine it though because the competition between these two is very strong. The big boys always feel it when a good guy comes along, and Russell is the next generation”


Rapid Rumors

Apparently all 10 teams have agreed to a financial package to cover the cost of additional sprint races in 2021

This probably means that the sprint qualifying format maybe used in a few races

Both Red Bull cars allegedly lost three-tenths per lap in Bahrain because of a differential issue and they are expected to be even stronger at Imola this week

Their pace will be further bolstered by a rumored rear suspension upgrade that they are purportedly referring to as “spectacular”

Meanwhile, Mercedes are reportedly working on an innovative game-changer to get back at Red Bull and close the gap

Former F1 driver Kevin Magnussen seemingly had the opportunity to join the Red Bull family as a replacement for Pierre Gasly at Toro Rosso before Alex Albon got the seat

Meanwhile, Pierre Gasly is a supposed front-runner to become an Alpine driver next year in place of Esteban Ocon

Former Italian president Matteo Renzi is rumored to be looking at opportunities to set up a new Formula 1 team with Saudi Arabian backers

However, other reports have refuted this rumor

F1 is allegedly very close to signing a new regulation that will limit a team’s spending to $30 million per year on their drivers

It is seemingly do or die for Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel’s F1 career and there are rumors that he could even be replaced mid-way through 2021 if he does not end up proving his worth soon enough


Should Mercedes pair Hamilton and Russell together for 2022?