George Russell is happy to race alongside his new Mercedes teammate, Kimi Antonelli, within the 2025 season. Talking on the group’s W16 launch, the Briton expressed his enthusiasm about mentoring the Italian rookie as he settles into Components 1 and the Mercedes surroundings.
Antonelli, considered a generational expertise, was promoted to F1 instead of Lewis Hamilton for 2025 and past, swiftly progressing by way of Mercedes’ junior ranks from Components Regional to F2. Whereas Russell now has three seasons beneath his belt with the Brackley-based squad, expectations are excessive for Antonelli.
Reflecting on the upcoming season, Russell highlighted the group’s renewed vitality within the post-Hamilton period.
Talking in a group assertion on the automobile launch, George Russell mentioned:
“It is also thrilling having a brand new team-mate in Kimi this 12 months. He is extremely fast and I believe we’ll make an excellent partnership. Naturally, there’s a lot for him to be taught in his first season however I am trying ahead to serving to him try this and dealing collectively to assist push the group ahead.”
He added:
“I really feel like final 12 months was my strongest in F1. This coming season might be my seventh within the sport, and fourth with the works Mercedes group, and I am working exhausting to enhance year-on-year. As a group, we’re extremely motivated to enhance on final season. There’s a nice vitality throughout the factories at Brackley and Brixworth so I am desirous to take to the monitor.”
George Russell reckons shakedown laps ought to be ok to find out Mercedes’ competitiveness
George Russell believes that the preliminary 5 laps within the Mercedes W16 will present a robust indication of whether or not the 2025 season might be a aggressive one for the group. Talking on the automobile’s launch, the Brit defined that shakedown laps have traditionally been a dependable gauge of the automobile’s potential from the outset.
Reflecting on previous seasons, Russell famous that early suggestions from pre-season runs typically set the tone for the 12 months forward. Whereas the 27-year-old stays optimistic about Mercedes’ enhancements, he acknowledged that the true check will come as soon as the automobile hits the monitor. With secure laws and elevated competitors anticipated in 2025, Russell is keen to see how the W16 stacks up towards its rivals.
Talking to pick onsite media together with Motorsport week on the F175 launch in London, George Russell mentioned:
“I believe inside 5 laps you recognize for those who’re in for an excellent season or not. And we’ve identified throughout the first 5 laps of the final couple of years that we wouldn’t be combating for the championship. Or at the very least we knew we wouldn’t be combating firstly of the season. So I really feel that, as I mentioned, it’s been far more sturdy this season, however all the groups are so aggressive now. And everyone is aware of the restrictions that they’ve had over these final three years.”
Mercedes has not been a title contender for the reason that introduction of ground-effect laws in 2022, struggling to seek out constant performances in comparison with their dominant period from 2014 to 2021. In 2024, their buyer group McLaren outperformed them, securing the Constructors’ Championship whereas Mercedes completed a disappointing fourth.
With competitors anticipated to be even tighter in 2025, all eyes might be on how the Silver Arrows try to reclaim their successful type. Past the technical challenges, the group faces a major transition with the departure of Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari and the mixing of rookie Kimi Antonelli alongside George Russell. Managing the event of their W16 and mentoring a younger driver might be key hurdles for Mercedes as they goal to return to the entrance of the grid.
Edited by Neelabhra Roy
