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Jenson Button expects Lewis Hamilton to put pressure on Mercedes team-mate George Russell by starting the 2023 Formula 1 season "flat out".
Mercedes saw their streak of eight successive constructors' titles ended last season by Red Bull, as they failed to deliver their drivers a car capable of regularly challenging world champion Max Verstappen.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton was surprisingly outperformed by Russell, who in his debut campaign with the team finished two places above his team-mate and also claimed their only victory of the season.
"Mercedes have given him a winning car for so many years," Button, who was Hamilton's team-mate at McLaren for three seasons, told Sky Sports News.
"Last year they obviously didn't, but the car did win a race, so you'd say at the end of the year, they were strong.
"And I think Lewis was on it. His performances were very consistent through mid to end of season, very, very quick.