P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Lewis Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes to Ferrari resulted in rookie Kimi Antonelli being selected to partner George Russell this season onwards, meaning it is the 26-year-old Briton who will be …
Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari resulted in rookie Kimi Antonelli partnering with George Russell for the forthcoming season, making Russell the more experienced driver in the duo at 26 years old. With 128 race starts, Russell feels prepared to take on a leadership role at Mercedes as he nears his 27th birthday before the season. Despite the trend of younger drivers in the sport, Russell views this as a transition to a new chapter in his career, recognizing the importance of driving skill. Acknowledging Antonelli’s youth, Russell values the 18-year-old’s input as equally important in their partnership. In addition to Antonelli, Valtteri Bottas joins Mercedes as a reserve driver, bringing valuable experience to the team and maintaining a professional relationship with Russell despite their past interactions.
