George Russell should assert himself as Mercedes’ dominant driver whereas serving to Andrea Kimi Antonelli, he has been suggested.
Russell turns into his workforce’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 chargeable 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 function.
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“He’s head of the GDPA. The best way he presents himself, he’s suited.
“With out Hamilton, Mercedes shall be wonderful when it comes to Russell main the workforce.
“Russell shall be keen to assist to start with. However it comes right down to efficiency…
“If Max Verstappen turns into accessible for 2026, or it’s a bit aggressive between [the Mercedes drivers], Russell will assume ‘I must 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 workforce to work collectively.”
Stress on George Russell at Mercedes
Lewis Larkam added: “I don’t assume Russell may have a difficulty supporting Kimi early on.
“That may change if Kimi begins beating him!
“They must work collectively for the advantage of the workforce.
“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 essentially the most profitable driver in F1 historical past and is now anticipated to take up the mantle of workforce chief.
“He has enormous sneakers to fill. Russell shall 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 likely to be requested of Russell.
“Everybody, in the meanwhile, expects Kimi would possibly battle. Or no less than have a gradual begin.
“If that flips round, the strain ramps up on Russell who doesn’t have a contract for 2026.
“In a means 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 need to go. However in some methods he’s additionally preventing for his future.
“Kimi is seen is a celebrity of the long run. We all know they have been desirous about 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 isn’t a room for complacency regardless that he’s proven that he beat Hamilton final season.”
