Lewis Hamilton ‘turns the tide’ on Russell to avoid Verstappen repeat

Lewis Hamilton has turned the tide on George Russell, according to Formula One pundit Joleyn Palmer. For the first half of the season, it had looked as if the new Mercedes man had got the better of his more successful and experienced team mate, but the seven-time world champion has turned this around to avoid a repeat of his rivalry with Max Verstappen. Mercedes have failed to hit their usual heights over the course of the current Formula One season, but originally it was Russell who looked to be making the most of a bad situation, coming in the top five in each of the first nine races while Hamilton floundered further down the pack. However, the 37-year-old has turned this pattern around in the latter weeks of the season and while he still trails his team mate in the world standings, he is more likely to be competing at the front for race wins and podiums. He has finished second three times this year in comparison to his Mercedes colleague, coming close to victory in the US Grand Prix last weekend. Now, Palmer has argued that Hamilton is starting to get the better of Russell, avoiding a repeat of his battle with Verstappen. The Dutchman has become a dominant force over the British driver over the last couple of years, something the 103-time race winner was desperate to prevent happening again. DON’T MISS: Rosberg puts pressure on FIA over cost cap saga with Hamilton theory Lewis Hamilton has been keen to avoid falling behind George Russell like he has with Max Verstappen (Image: GETTY)’Lewis was comfortable alongside Valtteri Bottas for the last handful of seasons,’ Palmer explained on the BBC’S Chequered Flag podcast. ‘When you have a new talented youngster come in, it can change the dynamic.’Hamilton did it himself when he came into Formula 1 and overtook Fernando Alonso, and it shifted the power of the future.’There was a moment earlier in the season where it looked like Russell was doing it and wow, was this the changing of the guard? Is this Russell now is the future of Mercedes? In the same way [Charles] Leclerc beat [Sebastian] Vettel, same way as [Daniel] Ricciardo beat Vettel and then [Max] Verstappen beat Ricciardo at Red Bull.’But he’s overcome it emphatically as the season has gone on. When Mercedes look like they’re going to win, it’s always Hamilton that’s at the wheel.MUST READ…Max Verstappen could be ‘easily replaced’ warns ex-Red Bull driverMartin Brundle says Lewis Hamilton can still enjoy ‘glorious’ seasonHamilton and Russell told ‘pathetic’ issue could make win impossible Lewis Hamilton has started to get the better of George Russell (Image: GETTY)’He was a long way ahead of George [in Austin] and I think he has silenced the doubters that were there, because they came out pretty hard at the start of the season.’Hamilton will once again look to get one over Russell during the Mexico Grand Prix this weekend. He sits just 20 points behind his fellow Brit going into the final three races of the season so there is plenty to play for as he seeks to beat his team mate in the standings.