Sky F1 pundits predicted a tough season for seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, saying that he is surrounded by competition heading into 2022.
Hamilton will race alongside new teammate George Russell in 2022. The credentials of his young partner are well known, and it will be experience versus youth heading into the new season.
In addition to that, the British Knight also has to deal with Max Verstappen, the man who ended his championship-winning streak at the final race of 2021. With Verstappen set to defend his title in the upcoming season, one of his main opponents will be Hamilton.
However, the Sky pundits predicted a tough season for Hamilton, saying that he will have a lot on his plate in 2022.
Speaking on an exclusive Sky Sports F1 show, Anthony Davidson said, “He’s (Russell’s) so full of energy and this is his big moment, isn’t it?
“His chance to step into, hopefully for his sake, a car that can run right at the sharp end and with Lewis Hamilton as your yard stick, the best in the business to measure yourself against.
“There’s nothing more that a driver like George wants than to go head to head with Lewis with the same equipment, and this is the time you can really see if you’re good enough.”
First day at Mercedes? Completed it mate. ? @georgerussell63 pic.twitter.com/00TnYfkyYo
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) January 16, 2022
Battle lines
Karun Chandhok gave his take on the situation, saying, “Is George going to be surprised by how good Lewis is? Or is it going to be the other way around?”
Ted Kravitz added, “Russell has to be going for the championship, doesn’t he?
“If you’re in a Mercedes, you have to be going for the world championship.”
Kravitz also spoke about Hamilton losing his title, saying, “That’s the other thing Hamilton has to deal with. He has to get over the pain of Abu Dhabi, and he needs to be reassured by the FIA that everything is going to be fair.
“And then he needs to deal with a hotshot new team-mate, and deal with Max Verstappen, who’s going to be high on confidence of course. It’s such a big job for Hamilton.”
Read more: Russell has no interest in learning about Hamilton’s weaknesses before 2022 season