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Lewis Hamilton insisted he would have nothing to prove when he goes up against George Russell in Mercedes’ all-British line-up next season.
But the seven-time world champion called on the incoming 23-year-old to ‘respect’ the harmony within the team.
As Sportsmail revealed on Thursday, Hamilton was dismayed to learn the ambitious Russell would replace Valtteri Bottas, his compliant Finnish team-mate of the past five years, who is destined for Alfa Romeo.
Lewis Hamilton, pictured at Zandvoort on Thursday, insists he has nothing to prove
As Max Verstappen said, Russell will ‘make life very difficult’ for Formula One’s most decorated driver who turns 37 in January.
Trying to be diplomatic about Russell’s move from Williams, which is set to be confirmed after this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, Hamilton said: ‘Our relationship will be good. George is an incredibly talented driver.
‘I would say the only highlight from last week’s (two-lap) race in Belgium was his amazing qualifying lap.
