George Russell has admitted he isn’t being “naive” about the threat that Andrea Kimi Antonelli could pose to him, despite his new team-mate’s inexperience in Formula 1.
Antonelli is preparing to embark upon his rookie campaign in the sport in 2025 having been chosen to succeed the now-departed seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton.
Hamilton’s decision to migrate to Ferrari and Antonelli’s promotion has seen Russell, entering his seventh season in F1, become recognised as the team leader at Mercedes.
The Briton, though, has insisted that he isn’t underestimating the internal challenge that Antonelli, who has clocked around 9000 kilometres in F1 cars, will present in 2025.
Russell believes the raw speed that has accompanied Antonelli’s rapid ascent up the racing ladder will serve him well as he navigates his maiden campaign in the sport.
“I think he’ll definitely keep me on my toes, there’s no doubt about that,” Russell told sport.de. “When I think back to when I was 18, I don’t feel any faster today.
“I feel more experienced. I know how to deal with the pressure of F1 and everything that comes with working with a team of 2,000 people.
“But in terms of speed, you either have it or you don’t. I think he has it, so I’m going to give him a lot of respect.”
Russell aware Antonelli will want to beat him
Mercedes heads into the upcoming season hoping that a revised line-up will inspire a reversal in fortunes amid the lean spell that it has endured under the current rules cycle.
The German marque hasn’t come close to winning a title since 2022 despite entering the regulation reset as the side to beat with eight Constructors’ Championships in a row.
But although he is convinced the two will form a productive partnership, Russell is aware that Antonelli will be eager to beat him to impose his own mark at Mercedes.
“We’re going to work well as a team, I’m excited to see what he can achieve,” Russell said.
“But you should never be naive, especially when the youngsters are coming in, because I remember when I was that age, and you have a lot of fire within you.”
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