Following Lewis Hamilton’s startling declaration of his move to Ferrari for the 2025 season, Mercedes opted to promote from within, entrusting George Russell with the responsibility of spearheading the team. Concurrently, they expedited their programme centred around junior talent Andrea Kimi Antonelli, aiming to ready the young Italian for his Formula 1 debut sooner than initially anticipated.
Assessing Mercedes’ comparative performance against its competitors during their first year together has proven challenging. Team principal Toto Wolff described the W16 as an “enigmatic package” that delivered a couple of victories alongside numerous underwhelming weekends. A suspension modification that temporarily misled the team further complicated matters, prompting the Brackley-based outfit to revert to its original configuration.
Despite the fluctuating performance, Mercedes’ decision to place their confidence in Russell was validated. With Hamilton’s departure, Russell has evidently progressed, solidifying his position as the team’s leading figure.
Russell’s prowess in qualifying has been evident throughout his tenure with Hamilton, consistently outperforming him in single-lap performances. He has complemented this with resilience and composure under pressure, making his triumphs in Canada and Singapore appear effortless.
“He’s been exceptional this year. I haven’t observed any errors,” Wolff commented. “There were instances when he expressed dissatisfaction with his own performance, acknowledging shortcomings in certain races. However, this is a common occurrence for any driver. When the elements align – the car performing optimally and the driver at the peak of their abilities – it creates a formidable combination, which we witnessed here.”
George Russell has seamlessly stepped into Lewis Hamilton’s shoes at Mercedes
Photo by: George Russell/Lewis Hamilton
This is a significant departure from Russell’s race-ending incident two years prior, where contact with the wall dashed his hopes of victory while pursuing Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and McLaren’s Lando Norris.
“We have observed similar instances in the past, but not recently,” Wolff noted. “This signifies the progress he has made this year, ensuring that such incidents are no longer repeated.”
Russell affirmed this sentiment, stating: “I am a fundamentally different driver now compared to a few years ago. I feel more complete and more confident. I have a clear understanding of what needs to be done in various situations. I am prepared to compete for a championship and take the next step in my career.”
When questioned by Autosport regarding the specific changes since 2023, he explained: “It stems from experience – simply knowing how to maximise every scenario. Previously, I may have been driving with more tension and overexerting myself in situations where it was unnecessary. Now, I approach things with a greater sense of ease.
“When it was raining an hour before the race, my immediate thought was: ‘This is the situation. It affects everyone equally. There’s nothing I can do about it, so there’s no point in dwelling on it.’ A younger version of myself might have reacted differently.”
Addressing the Verstappen Speculation
Despite Russell’s ascendant role as the team’s primary driver, it was not without its challenges. Wolff engaged in exploratory discussions with Max Verstappen’s representatives during a period of relative decline for the Milton Keynes-based team in 2025.
Russell publicly maintained a composed demeanour, acknowledging the normality of Mercedes exploring possibilities with the top driver available. While he asserted that he would not be the one to step aside, the situation inevitably cast a shadow over his status within the team, particularly after just one season as team leader.
Photo by: Shameem Fahath / Motorsport Network
“I don’t take it personally, as I’ve consistently stated that I’m open to being teammates with anyone,” Russell remarked, drawing confidence from his successful partnership with seven-time world champion Hamilton. “The identity of my teammate is of no concern to me.”
However, the Verstappen exploration and the subsequent delays in finalising Russell’s contract underscored the unique dynamic of Russell being managed by Wolff and Mercedes, thereby limiting his complete control over his career trajectory.
With the agreement now formalised, the specific duration of Russell’s new contract remains undisclosed. However, it is plausible that the agreement incorporates considerable flexibility. Mercedes is anticipated to make a significant impact in the forthcoming F1 regulations era next year, potentially making the team an enticing option for drivers such as Verstappen if Red Bull underperforms.
Speaking to Autosport earlier this summer, Russell emphasised that flexibility “should be reciprocal,” as he would not want his options restricted if more competitive opportunities emerged in the future.
Consequently, he was not necessarily seeking long-term stability. “My paramount objective is to have a car capable of winning a world championship, and I want to achieve that with Mercedes,” Russell explained. “Drivers seeking long-term contracts often feel they require that assurance.
“I have never had a long-term deal, and I don’t need one, because it should always be contingent on performance. If I am not performing, the team should not be obligated to retain me. It’s as simple as that.”
Should Mercedes return to championship contention, Russell will finally have the opportunity he has long pursued, having joined the team just as its dominance diminished at the onset of the ground-effect era. Witnessing his former F2 rival Norris competing for the championship has intensified his desire to seize that same chance.
George Russell, Mercedes
Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
“I am more driven than ever,” Russell revealed to Autosport. “I had hoped that after seven seasons, I would have at least had one year where I was in contention for a championship. When I joined Mercedes, we anticipated a championship battle every year. Unfortunately, that hasn’t transpired.
“Arguably, no one could have foreseen McLaren’s progress two years ago. Lando spent five years with them without any title aspirations. You have to accept that this is the nature of F1. That has always been the case. Look at Michael Schumacher – he was in his fifth year with Ferrari, in his 30s, before he won a championship with them. I am 27, so I still have some time on my side.”
Antonelli Adapts to F1 Life
On the other side of the garage, Antonelli’s extended tenure has been virtually certain for some time. The official confirmation that the 19-year-old will remain in his current position will undoubtedly provide a boost to the young Italian, who has been introduced to the demanding world of F1 the hard way.
Wolff has openly acknowledged that he presented Antonelli with a challenging situation, initially by placing him in the car for FP1 at Monza last year, which resulted in a crash.
Subsequently, Antonelli was thrust into the forefront of motorsport earlier than anticipated, struggling to cope with the intense scrutiny and pressure surrounding his homecoming at Imola, while simultaneously navigating the complexities of Mercedes’ problematic rear suspension.
That developmental detour, coupled with the fiercely competitive nature of F1, has amplified Antonelli’s inevitable rookie mistakes, making them appear more significant than they might have been in other circumstances. However, after staunchly defending Antonelli publicly, Wolff adopted a different approach at Monza, displaying a more reserved attitude towards his protégé and describing his performance as “underwhelming.”
Antonelli started from pole in the Miami GP sprint
Photo by: James Sutton / Motorsport Images
Antonelli responded positively to this challenge, delivering stronger performances in subsequent weekends, including top-five finishes in Baku and Singapore. These results, combined with his maiden podium finish in Montreal and his sprint pole position in Miami, provided Mercedes with sufficient evidence that their decision to promote Antonelli was justified.
“He has demonstrated enough potential in the early part of the season to validate our expectations that he possesses the talent to compete in F1 and represent Mercedes,” stated trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin.
“We have intensified our preparations, experimenting with various strategies to prepare for the remaining race weekends. We will continue to evaluate and refine our approach until we achieve the desired outcome.”
Antonelli can now proceed without the burden of uncertainty, as Mercedes remains committed to its original plan: to navigate Antonelli through his initial challenges and ensure he is fully prepared for the start of F1’s 2026 era, when Mercedes intends to guide him and Russell to new heights.
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– The Autosport.com Team
