Mercedes driver George Russell reflects positively on Lewis Hamilton‘s transfer to Ferrari and the arrival of teenage sensation Kimi Antonelli. Hamilton made his debut with the Scuderia this season, after thirteen years and six titles with Mercedes. According to Russell, who joined the Brackley team in 2022 and has since been struggling with a lack of competitiveness, there is now a breath of fresh air in the team.
In an interview with Autosport.com, Russell outlines how the dynamics at Mercedes changed after Hamilton’s departure. “The feeling within the team is different,” he explained. “But ultimately, of course, it’s all about performance. We started this year well, but then hit a slump,” he admitted. The Brit won the Canadian GP this season and has finished on the podium multiple times, but has struggled to keep up with his rivals in the recent Grands Prix.
“Of course, there are always pros and cons to a major change within a team. But Lewis’s departure was good for him and good for us; it meant a fresh start,” Russell continued optimistically. “Sometimes you have to break a pattern to get back on track.” For Hamilton, the move has so far been less successful. The seven-time world champion is in a slump and is now setting his sights on 2026, when the new engine regulations come into effect.
Antonelli
Antonelli, the Mercedes talent who succeeded Hamilton, also experienced highs and lows. After an impressive start to the season, a downgrade to the rear suspension shook his confidence. Now that the team has returned to the old specifications, Russell has high expectations for the second half of the season – including from his young teammate. Moreover, he believes the criticism of Antonelli is disproportionate. “The fact is that his pace compared to mine has not changed,” Russell emphasized. “In Canada, I was on pole position and he qualified fourth, with a difference of six-tenths. In Belgium, I made it to Q3 and he dropped out in Q1, but the difference was only three-tenths.”
“People only look at the final result, but forget that he is still making progress, even though we as a team have regressed,” Russell added. “In this field, one-tenth can easily mean six or seven starting positions.” The four-time Grand Prix winner concluded with the reassurance that Mercedes’ recent missteps have no impact on the development of the car for 2026. “Of course, this lack of performance is not ideal, but honestly, 95 percent of our staff are already working on next year’s car,” he explained. “They are not affected by emotions from the current season.”
