F1 News: Mercedes Power Hierarchy Stopping George Russell From Being More Vocal According To Insider

George Russell would be more vocal on the radio if Hamilton wasn't a seven-time champion.

According to former British racing driver and Sky Sports Analyst Anthony Davidson, George Russell is unable to argue with Lewis Hamilton because of his seven-time world champion status in the Mercedes hierarchy. 

If you look at the last two races in Singapore and Japan, the Mercedes teammates batted quite closely, with Russell almost losing his cool during the Grand Prix at Suzuka. However, he was mindful of his words. 

Despite outperforming Hamilton in his debut season last year, Russell falls behind this year by 75 points in the Drivers' Standings. 

Davidson feels that Hamilton's elite status in the sport, especially at Mercedes prevents Russell from arguing with him. Revealing his analysis on Sky Sports F1 Podcast, he said:

"There's definitely a hierarchy in that team.

"And rightly so. You know, Lewis has earned that status in that team as a seven-time world champion, and George can't argue against that.

"George is still the understudy, and he's doing a very good job on those occasions where he's got the speed over Lewis to really take the fight to him.

"But he's doing it in such a George Russell polite way, which is quite humorous to watch, because I know inside the car, he'll be fuming and steaming.

"And that's why we see the near misses, the drivers coming, almost to blows, almost to contact, but then he's a good boy on the radio, he's very British about it.

"And there are layers to him, to the annoyance, I think. It always comes over as, 'I'm okay with this, but if you could please, very thankfully, let me through with the next couple of opportunities, it'd be much appreciated.

"And we'd hear maybe a bit more vocal if things were different. But I think for now, I think he knows where he is in the team."

Davidson went on to reveal that he enjoys watching Russell threaten Hamilton in several instances. He added:

"He [Russell] knows he's got the speed. We all see it as well from the outside.

"Lewis is getting his elbows out when he needs to. I'm really intrigued by this battle and watching George develop as a driver and watching Lewis in his latter years in his career.

"Watching this young, hard-charging driver in George, really threatening him for speed and consistency, and it's great to watch Lewis getting stuck in as well."

Hamilton and Russell recently signed contract extensions with Mercedes which would see them race with the Brackley outfit until the end of the 2025 season.