Hamilton left in the shade by Russell

Rookie pips fellow Brit to second in qualifying

LEWIS HAMILTON saw a glimpse of the future sitting two chairs along from him and he did not much like it judging by how his voice turned as deep and lifeless as Henry Kissinger’s. There in the press conference sat George Russell, the 23-year-old Englishman who had just produced a millionaire’s qualifying lap in Belgium, to interpose him between the two title contenders, pole-sitter Max Verstappen and Hamilton, who was third quickest.

Master George was not meant to be just three-tenths off pole in a jalopy of a Williams, but his clear talent in the capricious wet conditions in the Ardennes Forest yesterday allowed him again to rise above his equipment.

For a little while it looked as if Russell would take pole itself, before Verstappen swept through the final few corners to put himself on top.

No wonder Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff appeared to indicate later in the evening that Russell will partner Hamilton next season in place of the underperforming Valtteri Bottas, eighth quickest yesterday but condemned to start 13th for crashing like a bowling ball in Hungary four weeks ago.

Asked if the decision over next year’s driving line-up had been taken, Wolff said: ‘Yes.’

He did not disclose in which direction his favour has fallen. That will come in the next few weeks.

Russell’s ability was as clear to Hamilton here under the low clouds that hung over the high trees as it had been as he watched on from his Covid bed in Dubai while Russell jumped into his car at the Sakhir Grand Prix in Bahrain last year.

On that occasion, Hamilton reacted by flying to the closing race in Abu Dhabi at the 11th hour, despite being barely well enough to travel, to wrest his steering wheel back.

Hamilton was asked if Russell’s display here had affected his lukewarm endorsement of the younger man’s claims to be his team-mate and it was now his voice turned gravelly. ‘I don’t feel any different,’ crooned the seven-time world champion, who leads Verstappen by eight points with 11 rounds remaining.

‘George has being doing a great job all year and this doesn’t change anything. I am sure he has pressure on him, just as Valtteri has and it is

great to see him delivering. I cannot fault him for it.’

The only possible impediment to Russell landing the Mercedes seat after blossoming at Williams, while still tied to the champion team as part of their academy programme, is the complication his speed represents. The memory of fractious relations between Hamilton and Nico Rosberg still haunt some Mercedes minds.

Would Russell not upset the apple cart, for he is probably quicker than Rosberg and at least as ambitious, if a little more straightforward?

‘There are pros and cons as there is with any driver line-up,’ said Wolff. ‘We need to manage the situation internally like we always have with Nico, and with George.’

With George!? Was that an admission? It sounded like it.

‘Today doesn’t make any difference to our thinking,’ added Wolff. ‘We know what we have with George. He has been outstanding in the junior categories. He has been outstanding with Williams and he was outstanding for us in Bahrain.

‘Today George gained so much time at La Source compared to anyone else because he was on the apex. He was very committed through Eau Rouge.

‘A driver has to maximise and exploit the package and all that came together for a brilliant lap.’

More rain is expected today. Wet weather blows in and out of here minute by minute.

Russell can be counted on to give his all to hold off Hamilton and attack Verstappen in the short run off the start line into La Source. ‘That’s the plan,’ he said.

What can Hamilton do about the thorn between the two title roses?