Formula One Mercedes

[Dee-M-See]

Will Russell be allowed to race or will he have to kow tow to Hamilton who he is quite capable of beating

[ToraToraTora]

I don't think you want an answer do you? You just want to wallow in the self assigned magnificence of your own opinion. Enjoy.

[douglas9401]

Mercedes have room to manoeuvre if his wokeness wins again this year but if he's still chasing the dream in 2022 George may just have to wait his turn.

[Mozz71]

Like any young driver partnered with a veteran, Russell will have to serve his "apprenticeship" as a second driver before he'll achieve parity with Hamilton. Russell will have his time I'm sure.

[New Judge]

Mercedes have always allowed their drivers to race when the circumstances were right. Like other teams, when they needed it, they have operated team orders. It is a team game and their aim is to win the constructors' championship (because it is that which brings in the most money).

By contrast Ferrari (remember them?) have virtually always operated with a "first" and "second" driver (though not lately because it hasn't really mattered too much). This was especially so when Schumacher and Alonso were their number ones. Remember (when team orders were illegal) Rob Smedley's famous "Fernando is faster than you" uttered to Felipe Massa. Massa had been leading the German Grand Prix for most of the race but Sebastian Vettel (in a Red Bull) was hot on the heels of second placed Alonso. The call allowed him to take the lead leaving Massa as rear gunner to fend off Vettel for the remaining laps.

[Paul22118]

I think your question has three elements. First, Russell will be allowed to race but must agree to be a team member. It is a 'team'. Secondly he will have no need to bow to Hamilton as quality will always show out. And thirdly there is no beating quality and experience - I do not think Russell will beat Hamilton even though George clearly thinks once in a Mercedes it will all fall into place.
We'll see.