George Russell is looking forward to teaming up with his new Mercedes teammate, Kimi Antonelli, in the upcoming 2025 Formula 1 season. At the W16 launch event, Russell expressed his excitement about guiding the talented Italian rookie as he makes his debut in the pinnacle of motorsport and adjusts to life at Mercedes.
Antonelli, hailed as a rising star, earned his promotion to F1 to replace the legendary Lewis Hamilton for the 2025 season after impressing in the Formula Regional and F2 categories within the Mercedes junior program. With Russell having already spent three seasons with the team, there are high hopes for Antonelli’s potential.
During the team’s car launch event, Russell spoke about the fresh energy within Mercedes following Hamilton’s departure. He stated, “It’s also exciting having a new teammate in Kimi this year. He’s incredibly quick and I think we will make a great partnership. Naturally, there is a lot for him to learn in his first season but I’m looking forward to helping him do that and working together to help push the team forward.”
Russell also reflected on his own progress in F1, noting that he feels that the previous season was his strongest yet. As he gears up for his seventh season in the sport and his fourth with the factory Mercedes team, Russell is focused on continuous improvement. The team is motivated to build on their performances from the previous year, with a palpable sense of enthusiasm evident at both the Brackley and Brixworth facilities.
In terms of the car’s performance, Russell believes that the initial shakedown laps in the Mercedes W16 will provide a good indication of the team’s competitiveness for the season ahead. Drawing from past experiences, he emphasized the importance of early feedback from pre-season testing in setting the tone for the year. With stable regulations and increased competition expected in 2025, Russell is eager to see how the W16 measures up against its rivals.
Acknowledging Mercedes’ struggles since the introduction of ground-effect regulations in 2022, Russell highlighted the team’s challenges in reclaiming their former dominance. With McLaren outperforming them in 2024 and securing the Constructors’ Championship, Mercedes has work to do to return to the front of the grid. The departure of Hamilton to Ferrari and the addition of rookie Antonelli alongside Russell add further layers of complexity to the team’s development and mentoring efforts.
As Mercedes prepares for the 2025 season, all eyes will be on how they navigate these transitions and challenges to once again establish themselves as a leading force in Formula 1. With Russell’s experience and mentorship, combined with Antonelli’s raw talent, the team is poised for an exciting and competitive season ahead.
