George Russell shares his sincere 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 workforce’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 instead of Lewis Hamilton for 2025 and past, swiftly progressing by means 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 workforce’s renewed vitality within the post-Hamilton period.

Talking in a workforce assertion on the automotive launch, George Russell stated:

“It is also thrilling having a brand new team-mate in Kimi this 12 months. He is extremely fast and I feel we are going to make an important 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 workforce ahead.”

He added:

“I really feel like final 12 months was my strongest in F1. This coming season will probably be my seventh within the sport, and fourth with the works Mercedes workforce, and I am working laborious to enhance year-on-year. As a workforce, we’re extremely motivated to enhance on final season. There’s a nice vitality inside the factories at Brackley and Brixworth so I am desirous to take to the observe.”

George Russell reckons shakedown laps ought to be adequate 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 will probably be a aggressive one for the workforce. Talking on the automotive’s launch, the Brit defined that shakedown laps have traditionally been a dependable gauge of the automotive’s potential from the outset.

Reflecting on previous seasons, Russell famous that early suggestions from pre-season runs usually 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 automotive hits the observe. With secure 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 understand in the event you’re in for an excellent 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 a minimum of we knew we wouldn’t be combating in the beginning of the season. So I really feel that, as I stated, it’s been rather more sturdy this season, however the entire groups are so aggressive now. And all people is aware of the constraints that they’ve had over these final three years.”

Mercedes has not been a title contender because the 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 workforce McLaren outperformed them, securing the Constructors’ Championship whereas Mercedes completed a disappointing fourth.

With competitors anticipated to be even tighter in 2025, all eyes will probably be on how the Silver Arrows try to reclaim their successful kind. Past the technical challenges, the workforce 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 will probably be key hurdles for Mercedes as they intention to return to the entrance of the grid.