Russell and Hamilton struck a strong working relationship in their first season as teammates together during a hugely difficult campaign for Mercedes, who spent much of F1 2022 as the third-fastest team and playing catch up to close the deficit to rivals Red Bull and Ferrari after a major regulation overhaul dramatically shook up the pecking order. Despite the challenges, Russell impressed in his debut season with Mercedes, claiming his maiden grand prix victory - and the team’s first of the year - at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix on his way to fourth place in the drivers’ standings and his…