The relationship between the two Mercedes drivers has been placed under tension throughout the 2023 season with points of friction coming most notably at Barcelona, Spa and Suzuka, although this was elevated to another level in Qatar.
After Hamilton got a positive start off the line he attempted to make a move around the outside into turn one but failed to leave enough room for Russell on the inside, making contact on his right-rear tyre and sending him spinning out into the gravel trap.
Both drivers were left frustrated on the radio with Hamilton claiming he was “taken out by my own team-mate,” and Russell raging that he was left with nowhere to go after watching the incident from his cockpit on one of the big screens.
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Discussing the crash after the Qatar Grand Prix, Windsor commented: “Just imagine if Mercedes were in the running for the world championship in any given situation, in any given year, imagine what it’d be like between Lewis and George Russell.”
“The management have absolutely no control over them now, and there is nothing they could do about it because there is no way you can ever say to George Russell, ‘Lewis may well try to pass you on the outside, let him go.’ It’s never going to happen.
“It’s not a conversation that George would even begin to listen to. And that of course is what Mercedes never considered, I guess, when they hired George rather than keeping Valtteri Bottas.”
Windsor believes Mercedes boss Wolff was always asking for trouble by pitting together two clear winners, insisting Hamilton needed someone like ‘Bottas or Sergio Perez’ to partner him.
Despite Windsor raising concerns about the power balance between Hamilton and Russell, which has been causing Mercedes problems, both drivers were quick to put the crash aside and turn their attentions towards continuing their fight with Ferrari at the next race in Austin.
Speaking with Sky Sports F1 after the race, Russell reaffirmed his respect for his team-mate, stating: “We both had the possibility of standing on the podium. Obviously nothing intentional both ways.
“These cars are so difficult to see when you are racing – there’s big blind spots. We both have so much respect for one another. We will go past this and I’m sure we will speak and everything will be OK.”
