F1 fans left baffled as Lewis Hamilton pips George Russell to prestigious award
Lewis Hamilton may have endured the leanest season of his illustrious career, but the F1 icon hasn’t ended the year empty-handed after surprisingly landing a top award.
Hamilton failed to win a single race nor take a pole position during a campaign of struggle with his previously all-conquering Mercedes team. The Silver Arrows closed the gap to Red Bull and Ferrari as the season progressed and finally secured a win at the penultimate round in Sao Paulo, with George Russell heading a Mercedes one-two.
Russell, who also took the team’s only pole position, finished two places and 35 points ahead of Hamilton in the finals standings to suggest he has what it takes to mount a championship challenge, provided Mercedes can build a strong enough car.
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However, it was Hamilton, not Russell, who was named British Competition Driver of the Year at the annual Autosport Awards in London on Sunday night. Hamilton topped a readers’ poll ahead of Russell, McLaren’s Lando Norris and IMSA SportsCar champion Tom Blomqvist.
Hamilton couldn’t attend the ceremony but sent a video message, saying: “I want to say a huge thank you to Autosport readers. There are some amazingly talented British drivers. I don’t know how we continue to produce such great drivers in the UK but I’m really proud to be a part of it. I want to congratulate all the nominees.”
It’s the eighth time Hamilton has received the award but many fans on social media have blasted the result, insisting Russell would have been a more worthy recipient.
“They must be joking, if they are serious then it is obvious they do not support racing, just Hamilton. Can someone let them know that Russell is English,” fumed one.
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“Gets beaten by another Englishman, still wins driver of the year,” bemoaned another.
A third said: “What?! George Russell, no doubt about it, was the best 2022 British driver.”
One social media user branded the decision a “joke”, adding: “George Russell beats him and he doesn’t get the award.”
Another asked: “Wow, was this actually voted for by people who watched F1?”
One commenter pointed out: “Seriously? Russell beat him on merit, and scored the team’s only pole and win.”
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