Mercedes F1 star offers Lewis Hamilton REPLACEMENT verdict

lewis hamilton, kimi antonelli, mercedes, socials — Photo: © IMAGO

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Mercedes star offers Lewis Hamilton REPLACEMENT verdict

A Mercedes star has opened up about their F1 future

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Wednesday 19 February 2025 15:00

Mercedes star George Russell has offered his verdict on the man who has replaced Lewis Hamilton at the Silver Arrows.

Russell is set to enter his seventh season in F1 in 2025 and is now the man Mercedes will look towards to lead the team following Lewis Hamilton's departure for Ferrari.

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Of course, that comes naturally with age, but it is even more crucial this season given that Mercedes have replaced Hamilton with young Italian Kimi Antonelli.

Antonelli is just 18 years old and does not have a huge amount of experience, albeit he has been tipped for a huge career in the sport.

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Russell is in no doubt over his new team-mates ability, either, offering a glowing verdict on the man that has replaced Hamilton at the Silver Arrows.

“He is such a fantastic driver," Russell explained.

"He does not have the experience yet, but I am sure he will be up to speed very quickly.

“He has already integrated so well. We have both been racing from a young age and we know what needs to be fed back to the team.

"He is young, but his opinion will be just as valid.”

Max Verstappen Lewis Hamilton Ferrari Mercedes George Russell Kimi Antonelli