LEWIS HAMILTON has taken the first half of the 2022 season “easy”, according to former F1 world champion Nigel Mansell.
The 37-year-old Brit made a slow start to the year as Mercedes struggled for pace against the likes of Red Bull and Ferrari.
Russell currently leads Hamilton in the drivers’ championship
Mansell feels Hamilton has taken the first half of the 2022 season easy
Hamilton’s new team-mate George Russell raced into a substantial lead over his more experienced Mercedes partner.
But the seven-time champion has closed the gap to just 12 points over the summer break following five successive podium finishes.
And Mansell feels Hamilton has not yet put his foot down in 2022 – but does not think that should take away from the performances of Russell or McLaren’s British driver Lando Norris.
Speaking to Adrian Flux, he said: “I like both George Russell and Lando Norris.
“I think the opportunity that George has cast on the fact that Lewis hasn’t decided to dust off his right foot yet.
“I think he’s taking it easy.”
Yet despite claiming that Hamilton is yet to really put the pressure on Russell, Mansell insists he is impressed by both the new Mercedes man and Norris.
He added:”He [Russell] is doing a great job and I think Lando when the car is performing, he’s put some great results in.”
The F1 season gets back underway this weekend after a month break with the Belgian Grand Prix.
The paddock is preparing for a hectic three weeks with races in Belgium, Holland and Italy all taking place before the middle of September.
Defending champion Max Verstappen leads the championship by a huge 80 points from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez is a further five points adrift, with Russell, Carlos Sainz and Hamilton propping up the top six ahead of Norris.
Hamilton will be hoping he can secure a first victory of 2022 in the final nine races to maintain his record of winning a Grand Prix in every season since debuting back in 2007.
Norris is the highest-placed driver outside of Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes
