Hamilton helps out Russell at Mercedes F1 seat fitting

Mercedes released video footage of Russell’s seat fit on Wednesday evening, with Hamilton also in attendance in the team’s factory in the build up to the 2022 F1 season. 

Following three impressive seasons at Williams, Mercedes elected to promote Russell in place of Valtteri Bottas to partner seven-time world champion Hamilton for the upcoming campaign. 

“Today is a big day sitting in the W13 for the very first time in my brand new seat,” Russell said in the video. 

“So fingers crossed I fit as snuck as a bug in a rug, which is the plan and get ready to drive the car for the first time at Silverstone.”

George's W13 seat fit = Next stop... Launch day! pic.twitter.com/RlkX2GuGRq

— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) February 16, 2022

Russell and Hamilton have been spending time at Mercedes’ Brackley factory in recent weeks to complete standard pre-season tasks.  

Both will help reveal the team’s W13 challenger on Friday morning before shaking down Mercedes' 2022 car for the first time at Silverstone ahead of next week’s opening pre-season test in Barcelona. 

Hamilton’s movements indicate he is preparing to race this season following months of intense speculation surrounding his F1 future after he missed out on the 2021 F1 title to Max Verstappen in the controversial Abu Dhabi finale. 

Mercedes is aiming to secure a ninth consecutive constructors’ world championship this year, while Hamilton will be aiming to win a record-breaking eighth drivers’ crown.