P1racenews AI automatic summary:
George Russell believes Lewis Hamilton leaving Mercedes after 12 years together in F1 was needed for both parties to have a “fresh start”.
George Russell believes that Lewis Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes after 12 years in Formula 1 was necessary for both parties to have a “fresh start.” The 2025 season started positively for Mercedes, with Russell winning in Canada after several podium finishes.
Russell’s rookie teammate, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, also achieved his first podium at the same race, boosting the team’s early momentum. However, Mercedes faced challenges due to an unsuccessful rear suspension upgrade introduced at Imola, which led to handling issues.
After reverting to a previous setup before the Hungarian Grand Prix, Russell secured another podium, while Antonelli scored points after a poor qualifying. Hamilton’s move to Ferrari has been challenging, with struggles to adapt to the SF-25 and lagging behind teammate Charles Leclerc.
Despite early successes, including a Sprint Race win in China, Hamilton’s performance has raised questions about his future in F1. Russell maintains that the change was necessary and beneficial for both Hamilton and Mercedes, providing a fresh start and opportunity for improvement.
Russell returned to the podium in Budapest and closely monitored Antonelli’s progress while emphasizing Mercedes’ focus on the 2026 season. Despite the team’s recent performance dip, most of the development focus has shifted to the 2026 car, minimizing the impact of their setbacks on future projects.
