The 2021 Formula One season was undeniably the most heartbreaking year for the defending champions, Mercedes, despite winning the constructor’s title. Lewis Hamilton had his eighth driver’s title secured until the penultimate lap of the season-ending Abu Dhabi GP only for Max Verstappen to snatch it with the help of race director Michael Masi’s odd decision.

Hence, despite being the 2021 constructor’s world champions, there were hardly any smiles visible in the Mercedes garage, as all one could witness instead was agony and pain. Well, after having endured such a heartbreaking defeat against Red Bull, the Silver Arrows are up and running as F1 gets the stage set for what could be an exhilarating 2022 season.

George Russell, during a Mercedes F1 interview, admitted that the entire crew is more motivated than ever fueled by their ‘unfair’ defeat to Red Bull’s Verstappen last year. Hence, the young Briton reckoned the Brackley outfit could well manage to deliver one of the most dominant seasons of their career in 2022.

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What did the Mercedes driver say?

As reported by Motorsport, Russell opened up that he has gelled well with the Mercedes engineers since his official entry into the team late last year. Furthermore, the pre-season preparations seem to be going on in full swing as Mercedes look desperate to dethrone their rivals, Red Bull.

“Because I spent so much time with the team prior to joining Williams in Formula 1 as a junior driver, I feel like I know everybody so well already,” he said.

“So we were just straight to business on the important bits and bobs, to understand the new car, to understand the challenges, and to try and prepare as best as possible for the season ahead. And I think following the conclusion of last year, there’s so much motivation and fire within the whole factory to bounce back. And that is incredible for me to see.”

Overall, a deadly pair of Russell and Hamilton awaits Red Bull; While the former is young and hungry for success, the latter is already seeking redemption and could be a huge threat to Verstappen this year. Hence, are we in for an impeccable rivalry between the two title-contending teams?

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