Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has switched to Ferrari this season, leaving his seat at Mercedes to be filled by 18-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli. George Russell, who has a new teammate at the Silver Arrows for the first time since his arrival, sees a ‘different’ dynamic. “Lewis is such a huge personality, both on and off the track,” he says.
George Russell and Lewis Hamilton were teammates at the German racing team from 2022 to 2024, but that partnership has ended this season. During the winter test in Bahrain, the very young Andrea Kimi Antonelli takes the wheel, while Hamilton begins a new chapter of his career at Ferrari.
During Wednesday’s press conference, Russell was asked about the feeling within the Mercedes camp and what has changed. “Of course it feels different. Lewis is such a huge personality, both on and off the track,” he said.
Learning a Lot
It makes him feel nostalgic. “While the team looks back on good memories, I also feel grateful that I had that opportunity, because I was his teammate for three years and learned so much from him. I also directly competed with him,” he said.
However, the Brit is not disheartened. “It feels a bit like the end of a chapter, but then you look forward to the next journey. It’s very tough for us and Mercedes, but we’re looking forward, not backward. I think everyone within the team is very excited about this next chapter.”
First Impressions Positive
After the first test day in Bahrain, George Russell is hopeful for the upcoming season and is positive about the W16 – the car he will be driving this year. “Wednesday morning was a solid start for the team, the car’s handling was good. The conditions here are clearly very different from what we’re used to, as it’s very windy. We also know that there were, for example, huge fluctuations in the performances of all teams last season. Whether you come out of this test as the fastest, fourth fastest or second fastest, you might not be able to read too much into it. Nevertheless, the car seems to be performing well.”
Antonelli topped the morning session, after which Russell found himself in second place in the afternoon session and over the whole test day. “It’s clearly a fresh start for all of us. We’re just curious about what the season is going to bring.”
