George Russell shares his trustworthy opinion on having Kimi Antonelli as a teammate for the 2025 F1 season

George Russell is happy to race alongside his new Mercedes teammate, Kimi Antonelli, within the 2025 season. Talking on the staff’s W16 launch, the Briton expressed his enthusiasm about mentoring the Italian rookie as he settles into Formulation 1 and the Mercedes setting.

Antonelli, thought to be a generational expertise, was promoted to F1 rather than Lewis Hamilton for 2025 and past, swiftly progressing by way of Mercedes’ junior ranks from Formulation 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 staff’s renewed power within the post-Hamilton period.

Talking in a staff assertion on the automobile launch, George Russell stated:

“It is also thrilling having a brand new team-mate in Kimi this yr. He is extremely fast and I feel we’ll make an incredible partnership. Naturally, there’s a lot for him to be taught in his first season however I am wanting ahead to serving to him try this and dealing collectively to assist push the staff ahead.”

He added:

“I really feel like final yr was my strongest in F1. This coming season shall be my seventh within the sport, and fourth with the works Mercedes staff, and I am working arduous to enhance year-on-year. As a staff, we’re extremely motivated to enhance on final season. There’s a nice power inside 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 powerful indication of whether or not the 2025 season shall be a aggressive one for the staff. 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 usually set the tone for the yr forward. Whereas the 27-year-old stays optimistic about Mercedes’ enhancements, he acknowledged that the true take a look at will come as soon as the automobile hits the monitor. With steady laws and elevated competitors anticipated in 2025, Russell is raring to see how the W16 stacks up in opposition to its rivals.

Talking to pick out onsite media together with Motorsport week on the F175 launch in London, George Russell stated:

“I feel inside 5 laps you realize for those who’re in for season or not. And we’ve recognized inside the first 5 laps of the final couple of years that we wouldn’t be combating for the championship. Or not less than we knew we wouldn’t be combating initially of the season. So I really feel that, as I stated, it’s been rather more strong 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 staff McLaren outperformed them, securing the Constructors’ Championship whereas Mercedes completed a disappointing fourth.

With competitors anticipated to be even tighter in 2025, all eyes shall be on how the Silver Arrows try to reclaim their profitable kind. Past the technical challenges, the staff faces a major transition with the departure of Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari and the combination of rookie Kimi Antonelli alongside George Russell. Managing the event of their W16 and mentoring a younger driver shall be key hurdles for Mercedes as they purpose to return to the entrance of the grid.