George Russell has revealed his relationship with Valtteri Bottas has “grown” since their high-profile on-track conflict in 2021.
Bottas has returned to Mercedes as their take a look at and reserve driver for 2025, backing up Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
Bottas spent 5 seasons at Mercedes alongside Lewis Hamilton between 2017 and 2021, remaining unbeaten within the constructors’ championship.
Russell finally changed Bottas for 2022, having impressed with Williams and already being a part of the Mercedes household from a younger age.
Russell and Bottas first went head-to-head on the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix after Lewis Hamilton was dominated out of the weekend with coronavirus.
Whereas Bottas took the pole, it was Russell who had the higher hand, main the race earlier than Mercedes price the British driver a fairytale victory because of an operational error.
Issues received heated between the pair at Imola in 2021, with a high-speed crash on the start-finish straight.
An indignant Russell hit Bottas on the top when exiting his Williams automotive, whereas the latter put his center finger up in response.
In an interview revealed on Mercedes’ official web site, Russell instructed that the pair now have a very good relationship.
“His expertise goes to be huge. Having somebody with a lot simulator and racing data, and who absolutely is aware of the workforce goes to be nice,” Russell stated.
“Listening to about his previous couple of years at Sauber, with the Ferrari engine could possibly be key too. You at all times need to hold an open thoughts as to what others are doing and he has all of that beneath his belt.
“Clearly years in the past we had been perceived to not have a robust relationship, however we’re each professionals and our relationship has grown, we regularly journey collectively and see one another at resorts or within the fitness center.”
A brand new period for Mercedes in 2025
With out Hamilton, it will likely be a brand new period for Mercedes in 2025.
Russell will change into the de facto workforce chief, with the accountability resting on his shoulders as Antonelli will get in control.
Antonelli is the third-youngest driver in F1 historical past and will break Max Verstappen’s document of changing into the youngest-ever winner ought to he win one of many opening three races in 2025.
Talking about Antonelli, Russell added: “He’s such a incredible driver. He doesn’t have the expertise but, however I’m certain he might be in control in a short time.
“He has already built-in so effectively. We now have each been racing from a younger age and we all know what must be fed again to the workforce. He’s younger, however his opinion might be simply as legitimate.”
