George Russell has revealed that new team-mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli will be given an “equal voice” when it comes to the development of Mercedes’ Formula 1 cars.
Despite managing to take four victories, Mercedes slipped two positions to fourth in the Constructors’ Championship in 2024, 121 points behind third-placed Red Bull.
Mercedes endured initial struggles with its revamped W15, but mid-season upgrades inspired an upturn which saw it win three races in four before the summer break.
But while it looked poised to sustain a productive end to the season, Mercedes encountered a setback with a revised floor which triggered one podium in seven races.
However, Mercedes experienced one more high point as the cooler temperatures prevalent in Las Vegas witnessed the W15 come alive as Russell fronted a 1-2 finish.
Russell has highlighted that it is imperative the German marque’s 2025 package isn’t susceptible to the drastic swings that hindered it over the most recent campaign.
“I think now we’ve done almost a full season, we totally understand why the car is so up and down,” Russell told media including Motorsport Week.
“It has just such a narrow window and when we can set the car up in a way that we exploit that window, we have a race-winning car.
“But when you go to different circuits and you have to change where you position the set-up, we totally fall outside of our working window.
“So it’s obviously frustrating when you know the car has that potential. But I think for everyone, you have these fluctuations in performance.
“We’ve done a good job to capitalise on races that we did, had the pole positions when the car was capable of pole positions.
“And ultimately, we just need to make a more consistent car over the course of 24 races.”
Antonelli to have equal Mercedes treatment
Russell has inherited the role as the more senior driver within Mercedes, as Lewis Hamilton’s departure to Ferrari has seen a rookie in Antonelli placed alongside him.
But despite Antonelli’s inexperience, Russell has insisted that the Italian’s feedback will be taken on board as much as his in driving Mercedes’ development direction.
“Ultimately, for most F1 teams, you have near on 1,000 people who are working towards building these two cars, yet you only have two drivers driving it,” he explained.
“So, I think, let’s say, in Lewis, in my case, it was never that Lewis had a stronger voice.
“The team listened to us both equally because both of our opinions were extremely important.
“And the same going into next year. You know, Kimi’s new. He’s fresh. And I’m sure he’s going to have a lot of great ideas to bring to the table.
“I am the more experienced, but we will both get equal voices the same way, and we will both equally contribute towards the development the same way as it was with Lewis and I.”
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