The Mercedes duo notably made contact throughout qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix after which crashed at Flip 1 in Qatar, for which Hamilton (who was eradicated) took full duty.
Hamilton additionally appeared reluctant to observe a method name in Japan, with the group asking him to gradual to present DRS to Russell to assist him combat off Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz within the closing phases.
Russell stated these flashpoints are “regular” when the pair are evenly matched – they drew 11-all within the 2023 qualifying head-to-head – and which means they meet often on monitor.
Requested concerning the comings collectively by Motorsport.com, Russell replied: “I believe it’s regular once you’re so shut in efficiency, once you’re lapping on the identical lap instances otherwise you’re beginning subsequent to at least one one other on the grid – you’re all the time going to be shut.
“We all the time undergo our methods [in] conferences. The tempo distinction between the 2 of us is zero.
“We’re all the time going to be going throughout a 24-race season, a median of 60 laps per race, we cross paths lots and he’s the driving force I cross paths with probably the most.
“So, I believe that’s in all probability what we put it all the way down to.”
Picture by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Pictures
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG, George Russell, Mercedes-AMG, on the fan stage
Russell underlined that the 2 “belief each other” to depart sufficient room on monitor even when it could be tense between them and that the Qatar crash was all the way down to a “small misjudgement”.
He continued: “I believe additionally we belief each other. There could also be tense [moments], it could be arduous, however we belief each other.
“We all know that we’ll give one another sufficient area to combat essentially and never transcend the restrict.
“Clearly, Qatar was only a little bit of a lap one small misjudgement. That’s one other alternative the place it was one other podium or perhaps a potential victory missed.”
Russell, who completed eighth within the standings as Hamilton ranked third, reckoned 2023 was the “hardest season I’ve ever had psychologically”.
However his errors, Russell believes, are all the way down to pushing himself tougher than ever as he’s not content material to be level-pegging with Hamilton.
Russell added: “I’m purposely attempting to push myself additional and past.
“I’m not happy with simply being on par with my team-mate in qualifying or no matter it could be.
“Or final yr [when] we have been very even throughout the entire season. I need to be forward.
“That’s what I’m pushing myself for. Maybe that’s been a small cause for contributing to a few extra errors.”
