The responsibility of selecting George Russell’s teammate for the 2025 Formula 1 season rests firmly on the shoulders of Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff. While speculation swirls around potential candidates, Russell himself remains aloof from the deliberations, focusing solely on his own performance.
Russell recently disclosed that he is not participating in talks concerning his future teammate, as Mercedes evaluates the possibility of elevating junior driver Kimi Antonelli. Among the contenders for the coveted spot, Antonelli emerges as a front runner, with Wolff acknowledging his strong candidacy.
Regarded by many as a promising talent destined for greatness, Antonelli is presently making waves in his maiden Formula 2 campaign with Prema Racing. His recent F1 test debut underscores his readiness for the big leagues, positioning him for a potential partnership with Russell as early as 2025.
While Russell has previously expressed openness to various scenarios regarding his teammate for the 2025 season, he clarifies that he will not have a hand in the decision-making process, particularly concerning Antonelli’s candidacy.
“You’re asking the wrong person there, but obviously Kimi was out driving for Mercedes this week, a test for himself with him that was always part of the plan,” Russell stated.
“With Kimi, such a great driver and had so much success in the past but obviously, the decision is down to Toto and I just focus on on my driving.”
If Kimi Antonelli assumes the mantle as Lewis Hamilton’s successor, Mercedes will undoubtedly hope to steer clear of the challenges plaguing their current campaign.
Despite their innovative approach, Mercedes continues to grapple with the nuances of the current regulations. As the season unfolds, the Silver Arrows find themselves languishing in fourth place in the constructors’ championship, a situation that has left both Russell and Hamilton feeling frustrated.
In their quest to extricate the team from its current predicament, the Mercedes duo is leaving no stone unturned. Russell, however, emphasizes the importance of introspection, recognizing the need to first assess individual performances before scrutinizing others.
“I think it’s always very important to look at yourself first before anybody else, I think we’ve all got to focus on our own areas,” Russell articulated, underscoring the significance of self-reflection amidst the team’s challenges.
“And we are the drivers, our job is to drive the car as fast as possible, but also help direct the team forward in the developments that we want from the race car.
“We’re spending a lot of time on the simulator, trying to find out what it was from the previous weekend we could have done better, what it is moving forward we need to be doing with the car and what it is in the mid to longer term that needs to be changed.
“There’s always more that as a driver you can be doing more of. But it’s man and machine and it’s that interaction together that’s so important.
“So you’re working collectively with your engineers on how you as a driver can get more out of the car, the tyre, what you require from the setup. But then as a team, how you can work to move forward over overtime.”
