P1racenews AI automatic summary:
George Russell has admitted the news that his now ex-Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton would be heading to Ferrari in F1 was a “total bombshell” to him.
In 2025, Russell took over as the team leader at Mercedes following Hamilton’s departure, who was replaced by rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Hamilton and Russell were originally expected to be teammates through 2025, but Hamilton activated an exit clause to join Ferrari. Despite expressing a desire to end his career with Mercedes, Hamilton’s move to Ferrari came as a surprise to Russell. Russell admitted that he was caught off guard by the announcement, as it was the first time he heard about Hamilton’s departure. Working alongside Hamilton provided Russell with a valuable opportunity to showcase his skills against a seven-time champion and learn from his experience. The transition marks the end of an era for Hamilton and Mercedes but presents an exciting opportunity for all involved in Formula 1.
