George Russell has declared that Mercedes is “looking forwards, not backwards” as it embarks upon a new era in the 2025 Formula 1 season without Lewis Hamilton.
The upcoming campaign will be the first since 2012 where Hamilton hasn’t been with Mercedes, the team with which he took six Drivers’ Championships and 84 victories.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff conceded that it has been an “unusual” pre-season in the team’s camp with Hamilton absent, the Briton having begun his venture at Ferrari.
Hamilton’s departure has also had a profound impact on Russell, who is now regarded as the team leader at Mercedes as he partners rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
But while he has admitted the atmosphere has changed, Russell has insisted Mercedes isn’t dwelling on the past as it strives to return to championship contention in 2025.
“Naturally, it does feel different, of course,” Russell told media including Motorsport Week at pre-season testing in Bahrain.
“Lewis is such a huge personality, on and off the track, but I think everybody within the team is very much excited for this next chapter, really, and, as a team, look back on fond memories.
“I also feel grateful to have had that chance. Being his team-mate for three years, and learning so much from him, but also going head-to-head with him directly for three years, it kind of feels like the end of a chapter, but then you’re looking forward to the next journey.
“So for us at Mercedes, we’re looking forward, and not backwards.”
Russell convinced Antonelli has the speed
Russell believes Antonelli, who amassed more than 10,000 kilometres in F1 cars prior to his debut campaign, boasts the speed to be an internal threat to him from the outset.
“Being team-mates with a new up-and-coming driver. Everyone in Formula 1, all the guys at the front, have been through that position, and you’ve got so much confidence in yourself,” he said.
“And I said it just before, like, when I look back to myself when I was Kimi’s age, I don’t think you’re any slower, you just gain experience over time, you know how to deal with the travel of Formula 1 working with 2,000 people.
“But you’ve got the speed, you’ve got it, and if you don’t, you don’t. It’s almost as simple as that.
“So I’m sure Kimi’s going to keep me on my toes, and we’ll be pushing each other.”
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