F1 News: Mercedes Issue Hits Breaking Point - "Must Intervene Now"
Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher has stressed that Mercedes must intervene between Lewis Hamilton and George Russell after a conflict between the two teammates resulting from an incident in the first lap of the Qatar Grand Prix.
Russell and Hamilton started the race from P2 and P3 but, as they entered Turn 1, an enthusiastic Hamilton tried to go around Russell on the outside, cutting the latter off in the process.
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Unfortunately, Hamilton's move cost him an entire Grand Prix after his right rear tire made contact with Russell's front left tire, thus leaving the #44 car with just three tires attached.
Luckily for Russell, he continued racing and caught up with the pack, eventually ending up with an impressive P4. Hamilton ended the day with a DNF. The seven-time world champion then took “full responsibility” for the collision which cost Mercedes a good chance of finishing on the podium in Qatar.
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However, the tension between the two Mercedes drivers has reportedly been escalating, particularly after racing each other aggressively during the Japanese Grand Prix. This trait, as per Schumacher is something that demands work between the two drivers. He told Sky Deutschland:
“Lewis gives in too early, simply doesn’t give George enough space.
"The Mercedes were strong, they threw away good points.
"There’s a bit of work to be done between the two now. You can deal with each other either way, the team has to intervene now.”
Former Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg also commented on the incident:
“There’s not that much to discuss, it’s relatively one-sided. Lewis tried it on the outside because he had the soft tyres.
"He was very fast, had a lot of grip. But then he misjudged something, he pulled in a little too early.
"The mistake wasn’t a big one, but it had big consequences. Of course, something like that shouldn’t happen.”
