George Russell has spoken out in defense of former teammate Lewis Hamilton after the seven-time world champion received what many consider a harsh rating in the upcoming F1 25 video game. Hamilton’s in-game score was set at 89—lower than drivers like Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz—which Russell immediately labeled “very controversial.”
Every year, EA Sports’ driver ratings stir debate, and the 2025 edition is no exception. On Thursday, the publisher released its latest driver stats, and Hamilton’s noticeable downgrade from last year’s F1 24 title didn’t go unnoticed. His overall rating dropped to 89, with a pace score of 87, racecraft and awareness each at 90, and an experience rating of 98—unsurpassed by any current driver on the grid.
Reacting to the numbers during a promotional segment where drivers were shown their stats, Russell couldn’t hide his disbelief:
“89 for Lewis… what? He should be higher. Very controversial.”
Russell and Hamilton enjoyed a respectful and cooperative partnership during their three years together at Mercedes. The duo maintained a professional dynamic with minimal on-track clashes and mutual respect off it, making Russell’s defense unsurprising to F1 fans.
Even after Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, Russell has continued to back his former teammate. While the Briton’s transition to Ferrari in 2025 has been mixed—highlighted by a sprint race win in Shanghai but overshadowed by generally trailing Charles Leclerc—Russell remains confident in Hamilton’s abilities.
Asked about Hamilton’s form after a challenging Bahrain GP, Russell replied:
“I don’t really know, to be honest. After Fernando [Alonso], he’s the most experienced driver on the grid, a seven-time world champion, and he’s an incredible person and racing driver.
“We saw it in China—second race of the season—on pole in the sprint, wins the race comfortably. I know what he’s capable of, and it’s not easy going into a new team. The competition is tough, but he’s amazing. I’m sure, when things start to click, we’ll see more of that magic.”
Hamilton wasn’t the only driver whose rating raised eyebrows. Russell’s own new teammate, 18-year-old rookie Kimi Antonelli, received a modest 72 rating—one of the lowest in the game. Only Isack Hadjar was rated lower, despite Antonelli consistently scoring points and even securing sprint pole in Miami.