Rivalry between Russell and Hamilton unlikely: 'Otherwise we'll have to sort it out'

George Russell will be driving for Mercedes next year alongside seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. With Russell's move to Mercedes, there are still fears of a rivalry, but Toto Wolff doesn't feel he has to fear it.

Fears of a duel between Russell and Hamilton are high, especially as many people still think back to the duel between Hamilton and Nico Rosberg that eventually led to a crash between the two at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix.

Russell and Hamilton's roles are clearer

The 23-year-old has certainly already shown that he can drive and therefore it is not a big surprise that he will drive for the team, but still there are questions due to statements made in the past by the Mercedes boss. Wolff once rejected Pascal Wehrlein for being too aggressive.

"The dynamic between George and Lewis will be totally different. You have the wizard and the wizard's apprentice, and I think they are both clear about the division of roles. We expect Russell to accelerate and show speed. But at the same time, we expect the team to perform well. If things get unsettled, I have to make sure I smooth things out. We didn't do well in 2016 and I have to take responsibility for that, but I was inexperienced. Today is different," the Austrian told Motorsport.com.

Another time and another moment

In addition, Wolff stressed that it is a different time. Rosberg was in the middle of his career and was already part of the team when Hamilton came. The division of roles should be clearer now that Hamilton has been with the team for years and has also achieved impressive results with the German team. Still, he admits it could become a luxury problem.

"We have a young and promising talent who continues to deliver excellent performances, such as in Sochi and in Spa in the rain, and who has yet to consolidate that into race results to qualify for a championship. That can also happen in the first year and would be a luxury problem that we would then have to solve," said the Mercedes team boss.