On paper, 2025 a transition yr for Mercedes.
The Formulation 1 group noticed one of many biggest drivers within the historical past of the game go away on the finish of the 2024 marketing campaign, with Lewis Hamilton departing for Ferrari. Toto Wolff and firm tapped younger Kimi Antonelli to drive alongside George Russell for the 2025 season, and with each drivers on contracts set to run out on the finish of the present marketing campaign, the specter of the motive force switch market is at all times looming.
However up to now, the 2025 season has been something however a transition season for the Silver Arrows.
Russell has a pair of podiums over two races, ending third in each the Australian Grand Prix and the Chinese language Grand Prix. And with Antonelli off to a powerful begin as nicely, each drivers have completed within the factors in every occasion this yr, outcomes which have Mercedes sitting second within the Constructors’ Championship standings because the grid arrives in Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix.
Talking on the FIA Press Convention on Thursday, Russell talked about his, and the group’s, sturdy begin.
“Yeah, I imply clearly the primary two races have been nice – two podiums – and we couldn’t actually have hoped for far more,” began Russell.
Nevertheless, the Mercedes driver remained as diplomatic as ever when he checked out the remainder of the grid.
“I feel we additionally must be practical. We’re solely two races into an extended season and I don’t assume most likely Ferrari and perhaps Pink Bull have maximized their potential as but,” continued Russell. “So we don’t need to get carried away pondering that is potential week in, week out. However we positively know that if we do the perfect job to our personal skills, we’ll be there within the combine.”
Russell then talked concerning the W16, the group’s challenger for the 2025 season. After a couple of years the place Mercedes struggled to get a deal with on their automobile, they give the impression of being to have a powerful and steady platform as this season begins.
The Mercedes driver said that the W16 has stunned him up to now this yr.
“Yeah, I feel it has [surprised him],” started Russell. “We all know in qualifying we’ve at all times been fairly sturdy. However I feel it was fairly refreshing in China to see that our race tempo was additionally fairly first rate and we have been the second-fastest group in China. There have been a number of positives to remove.
“We go to Japan, which was most likely considered one of our worst races final yr, so it’ll be fairly an attention-grabbing take a look at to see if we’ve improved the automobile in comparison with this time 12 months in the past.”
Russell additionally confronted a collection of questions relating to his personal title chase. Whereas Lando Norris and Max Verstappen are at the moment sitting one-two within the Drivers’ Championship race, Russell is third in that chase, only one level behind Verstappen and 9 behind Norris.
The Mercedes driver downplayed his title hopes, however did word that life in F1 can change relatively shortly.
“Finally, from my aspect, I’m simply getting into each single weekend attempting to carry out to the utmost,” stated Russell. “These final three years as nicely, alongside Lewis – his title was at all times there with championships as a result of he’s the GOAT. However the final three years, neither of our names have been there as a result of we weren’t within the place to struggle.
“Look, this season it’s been an important begin to the yr. I don’t assume we may have achieved a greater outcome than we anticipated, and I hope we are able to proceed this kind of run of consistency. However we all know realistically the McLarens are exceptionally sturdy, and I feel it’s going to be difficult for anyone else to compete with them,” added Russell.
“However you recognize, we noticed final yr how dominant Pink Bull have been, and out of the blue they weren’t on the finish of the season. So yeah, issues change shortly.”
Russell was then requested if he was “irritated” at not being talked about as a title contender. The Mercedes driver brushed that apart, noting that he will get to reside his “dream” every weekend as an F1 driver.
“I imply, not likely, to be sincere. I’m getting into each single weekend. I’m a Formulation One driver residing my dream,” stated Russell. “It’s not what the notion is — it’s what the fact is. The truth is that if we’re going to struggle for a championship this yr, we have to enhance. This yr has been an important begin to the season. However the identical method the final three seasons have been, I really feel that I’ve personally carried out very nicely. I’ve had one of many strongest teammates ever.
“I’m not searching for exterior recognition. I’m simply trying to go racing each single weekend, carry out, and doing my job.”
That job continues later this weekend on the Japanese Grand Prix.
