Large gaps between the two Mercedes drivers was a common theme in F1 2023.

In Abu Dhabi, Russell qualified inside the top four and finished on the podium, while Hamilton got knocked out in Q2 and finished behind AlphaTaur💯i.

It was a similar st💛ory in Hungary, where Hamilton qualified on pole, while Russell was out in Q1. 

“It's definitely something we've noticed,” Russell said. “Lewis and I, over the course of the year, I don๊'t think we've ever been at the sa⛄me pace.

“Over the last few years our qualifying record is almost the 🌌same. But it's either one driver is six tenths ahe🍬ad of the other. So it's something we're trying to understand. 

“I think often when you're slightly on the backfoot 🌠as a driver, you're chasing tꦯo close that gap. 

“Sometimes 💝in doing so, you take a step backwards rather than actually close that gap naturally♔.

“It’s something I♔'m trying to figure out myself and I'm sure he’s trying to f𝔉igure out as well.”

Ru🃏ssell ultimately finished eighth in the fina♔l standings, five places behind Hamilton.