George Russell has given his seal of approval to Andrea Kimi Antonelli, his potential Mercedes team-mate for the 2025 Formula 1 season, praising the young Italian as “exceptionally fast” during recent tests. Antonelli, currently a standout in his maiden Formula 2 season with two victories and a relentless testing schedule in Mercedes’ old-spec F1 machinery, is being strongly considered to fill the seat left by Lewis Hamilton, who is set to join Ferrari.
Rumors have been swirling that an official announcement could come as soon as this weekend, marking Antonelli’s ascension to the top tier of motorsport. The young driver recently participated in a test session at Silverstone, where he shared the track with Russell and Mercedes reserve driver Mick Schumacher, showcasing his skills in the 2022 Mercedes W13.
Russell, who will step aside for Antonelli in FP1 at Monza to allow the Italian to make his F1 weekend debut, expressed his confidence in Antonelli’s abilities. “He was exceptionally fast,” Russell remarked. “I’m sure if he were to get a drive in Formula 1, he’d do a great job.”
Should Antonelli join Russell at Mercedes in 2025, it would highlight the effectiveness of Mercedes’ junior program, which has a history of nurturing young talent into F1-ready competitors. Russell himself is a product of this system, having climbed through the ranks from junior series to his current role as a race-winning driver for the Silver Arrows.
Reflecting on the possibility of teaming up with Antonelli, Russell said, “Kimi’s an exceptional driver with an amazing track record in the junior series. He was always destined to be a Formula 1 driver. If it were to be him, it would be a great story for the team, showing the strength of the Mercedes junior program.”
As the F1 world waits for confirmation, the potential partnership of Russell and Antonelli could signify a new era for Mercedes, combining youthful talent with championship-winning experience.
Photo from George Russell Instagram
