George Russell will soon become the ‘senior’ driver of Mercedes. Lewis Hamilton, who won six drivers’ world championships with the team, will leave in 2025. Further, he was teh face of the team until now because of his exceptional racing skills and track record. Thus, his departure has stunned the Silver Arrows, who are already amid a slump.
Moreover, things could get tense if the Italian rookies replaced Hamilton next year. Toto Wolff, who has been grooming Kimi Antonelli for the big stage, is his biggest fan. Thus, Antonelli’s inclusion could further shift the paradigm in his favour. Consequently, Russell might have to find love elsewhere, as Antonelli is already Wolff’s favourite.
Kimi Antonelli Might Make Things Difficult For George Russell
The 2024 season has been full of uncertain revelations. One such announcement came in February, shocking every F1 aficionado. Lewis Hamilton decided to make a move and signed a contract with his childhood favourites, Ferrari. As a result, a void emerged at Brackley, and soon the management started looking for a replacement. While names like Carlos Sainz and Valtteri Bottas were trending, Mercedes introduced a young racing prodigy. Later, Toto Wolff clarified that the team focused on Kimi Anotenlli and hinted at his upcoming season debut. Withal, Kimi’s entry to the Brackley-based outfit could jeopardise Russell’s ‘special treatment.’
Guenther Steiner has expressed his view on the Mercedes situation. During the Red Flags podcast, Guenther admitted that the 17-year-old is Wolff’s favourite ‘son.’ Further, he was asked about the implications of such statements on Russell’s mindset. The former Haas boss said the Briton could find a home elsewhere, especially with his current form. Furthermore, Russell reinforced his assertions by pointing to Hamilton’s move to Ferrari. He suggested that if Russell isn’t the preferred choice at Mercedes, he could potentially become the favoured driver elsewhere. Ultimately, Steiner was hinting towards ‘a second life,’ which Formula One always offers. Thus, the Russell-Antonelli dynamics would define the upcoming seasons for the eighth-time constructors champions.
Toto Wolff Gives A Stern Warning To His Team, Hails Red Bull As ‘Benchmark’
Toto Wolff warned his squad not to get carried away with the wins in Canada. During an interview with Sky Sports, Wolff stated that Barcelona would be an exciting task for the team. Furthermore, while addressing rivals such as Red Bull, McLaren, and Ferrari, he raised doubts about their performance on the Barcelona circuit.
However, the Austrian CEO feels that competition is becoming stiffer with each passing weekend. Thus, he does not want his team to ‘discount’ Red Bull and Verstappen, as he believes they are still the ‘benchmark.’ Finally, McLaren and Ferrari cannot be forgotten, as Wolff ranks them among the best four teams.