Lewis Hamilton was magnanimous in defeat to George Russell last season with Mercedes not in the title hunt – but it would be a different story if it happens with a faster car.
That is the view of veteran Formula 1 journalist Peter Windsor. He even thinks it could do more psychological damage to the seven-time world champion than what he experienced when he was cruelly denied an eighth crown at the end of the 2021 season.
Max Verstappen overtook him on the final lap in Abu Dhabi on much fresher tyres, after race director Michael Masi botched the safety car procedure in the late stages of that Grand Prix. Losing out through no fault of his own and in that way was understandably devastating for Hamilton and Mercedes.
To make matters worse, he hasn't had the chance since then to make up for it. Russell joined him at Mercedes last year but that move coincided with the Silver Arrows' drop in competitiveness – from which the team is still recovering.
Russell impressed by outscoring Hamilton in their first season together, but the more experienced Brit brushed it off by stating he was not too bothered about it when they weren't competing for the title. But if it were to happen in those circumstances, Windsor thinks it would have a profound effect on F1's record race winner.
Expressing his belief in a YouTube video that Hamilton is unlikely to add to his title haul, Windsor said: "You're really asking me: 'Do you think Mercedes can win a world championship again inside the window of Lewis' logical career limits?' And it's difficult to see that happening, isn't it? It's difficult.
"Even if Mercedes really get it together, it's difficult to see them doing a much better job than Red Bull and, simultaneously, Ferrari doing a worse job than both of those two – and Aston Martin not coming anywhere. So a lot has got to happen for Lewis to be there, and then to beat George Russell.
"Just imagine if Mercedes did actually, in the second half of this year, produce a great car for whatever reason – suddenly right up there with the Red Bulls, actually beating the Red Bulls, outqualifying them and winning five of the last eight races. Let's say the Mercedes did that and they went into next year and they've got a car quite capable of winning the world championship.
"Imagine if it was George Russell that won the championship, and not Lewis, in that situation. But of course, that could happen. That could easily happen. George would have by far enough experience by then, be quick enough and by the law of averages – things could happen to Lewis, things could happen to George – it could go George's way.
"That would make what happened in Abu Dhabi '21 look tame if that happened. Lewis finally has his chance to win his eighth championship that he should have won in Abu Dhabi – and it goes to George! That could happen. Be ready for it."
