Lewis Hamilton predicted to show “more of that magic” by George Russell

Lewis Hamilton’s former team-mate George Russell has predicted that “when things start to click” for the seven-time Formula 1 champion at Ferrari, “we’ll see more of that magic.”

Russell, who drove alongside Hamilton at Mercedes from 2022 to 2024, has backed the British driver to build back up to his former glory. Hamilton is adjusting to Ferrari after a successful 12-year stint with Mercedes, during which he secured six of his seven world championship titles.

Apart from clinching the first sprint race win of the season in China, the 40-year-old has struggled to adjust to the SF-25. Moving to Ferrari involves much more than just getting to grips with a new car, but also a team that works differently and is predominantly using a different language. Hamilton spoke about the adjustment period, following the Bahrain Grand Prix.

“The middle stint, I felt really aligned with the car. My driving style seemed to be working in that moment,” he said following the race.  “And so learned a lot today, and this weekend, actually. A lot. Probably more than all the other weekends.

“The key is to try and get back to it every weekend. It’s clear our car really does require a different driving style, and I think I’m slowly adjusting to that,” Hamilton explained.

“And also set-up, I’ve been a bit all over the place, a long way from Charles the past two weekends, and then slowly migrated towards him.

“So I think, if I start the weekend with a more convenient spot, and apply the techniques that I learned this weekend, hopefully we’ll be in a good place.”

Russell, however, has backed Hamilton to bring back the “magic” that his fans are so used to seeing. The Mercedes driver commented to the media in Saudi Arabia:

“I don’t really know, to be honest. After Fernando [Alonso] he’s the most experienced driver on the grid, a seven-time World Champion, and he’s an incredible person and racing driver.

“We saw it in China, second race of the season, on pole in the Sprint, wins the race comfortably. I know what he’s capable of, and it’s not easy going into a new team and the competition is tough, but he’s an amazing driver and I’m sure, when things start to click, as they did in China, we’ll see more of that magic.”