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

George Russell is worked up 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 Method 1 and the Mercedes atmosphere.

Antonelli, considered a generational expertise, was promoted to F1 instead of Lewis Hamilton for 2025 and past, swiftly progressing by Mercedes’ junior ranks from Method Regional to F2. Whereas Russell now has three seasons below 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 mentioned:

“It is also thrilling having a brand new team-mate in Kimi this yr. He is extremely fast and I believe we’ll make a terrific 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 staff ahead.”

He added:

“I really feel like final yr was my strongest in F1. This coming season can be my seventh within the sport, and fourth with the works Mercedes staff, and I am working onerous to enhance year-on-year. As a staff, we’re extremely motivated to enhance on final season. There’s a nice power throughout 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 robust indication of whether or not the 2025 season can 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 observe. With secure rules and elevated competitors anticipated in 2025, Russell is raring to see how the W16 stacks up towards its rivals.

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

“I believe inside 5 laps you understand in case you’re in for a great season or not. And we’ve identified throughout the first 5 laps of the final couple of years that we wouldn’t be preventing for the championship. Or at the very least we knew we wouldn’t be preventing firstly of the season. So I really feel that, as I mentioned, it’s been way more strong this season, however the entire 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 because the introduction of ground-effect rules 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 can be on how the Silver Arrows try to reclaim their profitable type. Past the technical challenges, the staff faces a big 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 can be key hurdles for Mercedes as they goal to return to the entrance of the grid.