P1racenews AI automatic summary:
George Russell has admitted he isn’t being “naive” about the threat that Andrea Kimi Antonelli could pose to him, despite his new team-mate’s inexperience in F1.
Antonelli has been selected to take over from seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton for his rookie season in the sport in 2025. This move by Hamilton to migrate to Ferrari has elevated Russell to the role of team leader at Mercedes as he enters his seventh F1 season. Russell acknowledges the challenge Antonelli poses, with the young driver having accumulated around 9000 kilometers of experience in F1 cars. Despite his experience, Russell believes Antonelli’s raw speed will keep him on his toes throughout the upcoming season. Mercedes is aiming for a turnaround in fortunes with the new driver lineup following a period of lean results under the current regulations. Russell is optimistic about working with Antonelli but is mindful of the young driver’s drive and ambition to make his mark at Mercedes.
