P1racenews AI automatic summary:
George Russell believes there is space for Adrian Newey to join Mercedes, even though he feels his team already has “the most successful engineers that Formula 1 has seen” in recent years.
George Russell expressed his support for the Mercedes engineering department amidst speculation of Toto Wolff pursuing Adrian Newey. The renowned designer is set to depart from Red Bull in early 2025 after an illustrious tenure since 2006, which saw him achieving championships with Williams and McLaren before transforming Red Bull into an F1 powerhouse. While Mercedes outperformed Newey between 2014 and 2021, the 65-year-old marked his legacy with two consecutive championship wins for Red Bull, led by Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen. Despite being linked to Ferrari and offered a deal from Aston Martin, Newey’s potential association with Mercedes has also gained attention. George Russell highlighted the importance of having top-tier engineers, drivers, and mechanics in a team, commending the success of the Mercedes engineers over the past decade. As Mercedes gears up for the 2026 regulations overhaul, focusing on chassis and power unit changes, Russell remains confident in his team’s capabilities, emphasizing the collective effort to propel Mercedes back to the summit of Formula 1.
