George Russell should assert himself as Mercedes’ dominant driver whereas serving to Andrea Kimi Antonelli, he has been suggested.
Russell turns into his crew’s senior driver for the 2025 F1 season after Lewis Hamilton’s departure to Ferrari.
Teenage rookie Antonelli is an thrilling – and unpredictable – addition to the grid who Russell is liable for helping. However Russell has been advised to not neglect to take care of himself first.
Connor McDonagh advised the Crash F1 podcast about Russell’s management job at Mercedes: “I can’t consider a greater driver on the grid suited to that position.
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“He’s head of the GDPA. The best way he presents himself, he’s suited.
“With out Hamilton, Mercedes can be fantastic by way of Russell main the crew.
“Russell can be keen to assist to start with. However it comes all the way down to efficiency…
“If Max Verstappen turns into out there for 2026, or it’s a bit aggressive between [the Mercedes drivers], Russell will suppose ‘I have to smash Antonelli to make sure I’m the person for the long run’.
“It’s a balancing act however I don’t see why he wouldn’t. It advantages the crew to work collectively.”
Strain on George Russell at Mercedes
Lewis Larkam added: “I don’t suppose Russell can have a problem supporting Kimi early on.
“Which may change if Kimi begins beating him!
“They must work collectively for the good thing about the crew.
“I feel there’s extra strain on Russell this yr than Kimi. “Mercedes have downplayed Kimi, Toto Wolff has mentioned they count on errors.
“Russell is coming off a season convincingly beating probably the most profitable driver in F1 historical past and is now anticipated to take up the mantle of crew chief.
“He has enormous footwear to fill. Russell can be anticipated to beat Kimi all through the season.
“If we get to a degree the place Kimi is outperforming Russell, or is forward within the standings, questions is perhaps requested of Russell.
“Everybody, in the intervening time, expects Kimi would possibly battle. Or not less than have a sluggish begin.
“If that flips round, the strain ramps up on Russell who doesn’t have a contract for 2026.
“In a method he’s preventing – we assume he’s a Mercedes driver for the long-term. They’ve the choice, and it’s the way in which each events wish to go. However in some methods he’s additionally preventing for his future.
“Kimi is seen is a famous person of the long run. We all know they have been occupied with Verstappen.
“If a chance got here up [to sign Verstappen] they’d snap it up. The query is ‘who does he exchange?’
“If Mercedes put all their eggs into Antonelli, the place does it go away Russell?
“There is no such thing as a room for complacency despite the fact that he’s proven that he beat Hamilton final season.”
