Russell Dismisses Challenges Related To Antonelli's Promotion Straight To Top Team

George Russell asserted that he believes his 2025 rookie teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli can handle the challenge of his first season in one of the best cars.

A common practice in Formula One is to give rookies a chance to first warm up in slower cars and smaller teams at the bottom of the grid, where the pressure on the performance isn't as high as at the top.

Mercedes F1 driver George Russell started his career at Williams Racing, where he spent three seasons before Toto Wolff decided to promote him to Mercedes to race alongside Lewis Hamilton.

However, it will be different for Russell's 2025 teammate, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who will go from F2 straight into the deep water to one of the top teams on the grid.

While there will be immense pressure on the 18-year-old driver to perform, the Briton suggested that going straight into the top team has its advantages. He told AMUS:

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Russell is convinced that the best drivers would do well in any team already in their first season and has no doubt that Kimi Antonelli has what it takes. He added:

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