Lewis Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes to Ferrari has left a major leadership void at the Silver Arrows, and George Russell is stepping up. With 128 race starts under his belt, Russell is now the more experienced driver at Mercedes, as he partners rookie sensation Kimi Antonelli in the 2025 Formula 1 season.
In a candid reflection on his career trajectory, Russell made it clear that his time as an up-and-comer is over—now, he’s the one expected to steer the team’s resurgence.
Russell: “This Is the End of the Beginning”
The 26-year-old Briton, who turns 27 before the season starts, believes he’s at a crucial turning point in his career, embracing his new responsibility as Mercedes’ senior driver.
“I recognize my role as the more experienced driver. There are a lot of great young drivers coming onto the grid and it makes you realize you are no longer the youngster. But this is not the beginning of the end, rather the end of the beginning. I am entering a new chapter in my career.”
Russell is taking inspiration from Hamilton’s legendary rise at Mercedes and Michael Schumacher’s dominance at Ferrari.
“Lewis was 29 when he joined Mercedes and started winning all those championships, and Michael was early 30s at Ferrari. Nowadays everyone starts younger and younger—my debut came at 20. But I feel ready now to fulfill roles at the team, but the most important part of that is driving as quickly as possible, and I feel in a good place to do that.”
Will Antonelli Be a Real Contender at 18? Russell Thinks So.
At just 18 years old, Andrea Kimi Antonelli is one of the most highly anticipated rookies in recent memory. The Italian has already been dubbed Mercedes’ next generational talent, and despite his inexperience, Russell believes Antonelli’s input will be crucial.
“He is such a fantastic driver. He does not have the experience yet, but I am sure he will be up to speed very quickly. He has already integrated so well. We have both been racing from a young age and we know what needs to be fed back to the team. He is young, but his opinion will be just as valid.”
Antonelli has skipped Formula 3 entirely, jumping straight from Formula 2 to F1 in what many consider an aggressive move by Mercedes. The pressure will be immense, but Russell is welcoming him as an equal partner, rather than a junior teammate.
Bottas’ Return to Mercedes Brings Stability
In a surprise twist, Valtteri Bottas is back at Mercedes, this time as a reserve driver. While many believed the relationship between Bottas and Russell was strained—especially after Russell replaced Bottas in 2022—Russell insists that the Finn’s return is a huge asset to the team.
“His experience is going to be massive. Having someone with so much simulator and racing knowledge, and who fully knows the team is going to be great. Hearing about his last few years at Sauber with the Ferrari engine could be key too.”
And what about their previous clashes? Russell says any tension is long gone.
“Obviously years ago we were perceived to not have a strong relationship, but we are both professionals and our relationship has grown. We often travel together and see each other at hotels or in the gym.”
Can Russell Lead Mercedes Back to the Top?
After three seasons of Red Bull dominance, Mercedes is desperate to return to title contention. While Hamilton’s move to Ferrari has stolen headlines, Russell is quietly positioning himself as the new face of the Silver Arrows.
This season will be a defining one for Russell—not only does he need to outshine Antonelli, but he also has to take on Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and his former teammate Hamilton.
Can Russell carry the weight of Mercedes’ expectations and deliver results? The 2025 season will be his ultimate test.