Russell backs Antonelli's equal role in Mercedes' 2025 development
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George Russell says that incoming rookie teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli will have an "equal voice" in the development of Mercedes' 2025 car.
The 2024 season was one of mixed fortunes for Mercedes. The team started with struggles adapting to their revamped W15 car but found a resurgence with mid-season upgrades, managing three wins in four races before the summer break.
However, momentum was derailed when a revised floor design led to an inconsistent second half of the season, although Russell was able to claim his third career win in F1 in Las Vegas.
But Mercedes ended the year fourth in F1's Constructors' Championship, marking a second consecutive slip in the standings.
While the team's W15 silver arrow demonstrated flashes of brilliance, the car's performance proved highly variable across different circuits and conditions.
For Russell, these experiences have reinforced the need for Mercedes to produce and field a "more consistent" car in 2025.
"I think now we've done almost a full season, we totally understand why the car is so up and down," commented Russell, quoted by 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.
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"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."
As Russell moves into the role of Mercedes' senior driver, the Briton emphasized that Antonelli, despite his inexperience, will have an equal say in the development process.
Mercedes has a history of nurturing young talent, and Antonelli, the reigning Formula 2 champion, arrives with high expectations.
But Russell was keen to highlight the importance of listening to both drivers equally.
"Ultimately, for most F1 teams, you have nearly 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.
©Mercedes
"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."
Antonelli faces a steep learning curve as he steps into Formula 1 alongside Russell, but the rookie's input could provide a fresh perspective for a team seeking to rebuild its dominance.
For Russell, leading Mercedes back to championship contention will be as much about teamwork as it will be about consistency on the track.
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