Mercedes driver George Russell might be anxious about his long-term position following Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s impressive debut in a Formula 1 car at the 2024 Italian Grand Prix in Monza.
The young Italian quickly set the fastest sector times after stepping into the W15, though his session ended with a severe crash into the barriers on his home track.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff was impressed with Antonelli’s performance but cautioned that the rookie needs to treat practice sessions differently from qualifying sessions.
The buzz around Antonelli’s debut is reminiscent of the excitement when Max Verstappen first raced for Toro Rosso in 2015. It provides an intriguing preview of what Mercedes might anticipate next season, according to Brandon Sutton of Total Motorsport.
On the Total Motorsport F1 Show, Sutton commented: “Given that it was Antonelli’s first time driving a Formula 1 car in a competitive setting, his performance was very promising. Even though it was just a 10-minute stint, it’s better to show speed and risk a crash than to be slow and hesitant. His exceptional speed and courage are very encouraging for Mercedes.
“However, this might be concerning for George Russell, as Toto Wolff has been eyeing Max Verstappen since 2014 and won’t likely shift his focus now that he has a promising 18-year-old like Antonelli on board.”
Not the FP1 outing that Kimi Antonelli was looking for 😔#F1 #ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/KmEHF8Ewv8
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 30, 2024
“2026 could be a pivotal year for George Russell if Mercedes manages to contend for the title with their new power unit. If the engine proves to be the best on the grid, Max Verstappen might be tempted to make a switch. Meanwhile, if Antonelli continues to develop rapidly, Russell might have reason to be concerned about his position.”
Russell has to worry about Mercedes future
Since joining Mercedes from Williams for the 2022 season, the 26-year-old Russell has achieved two race wins and 12 additional podium finishes. However, his performance has waned compared to his stellar debut season, where he outpaced Lewis Hamilton in the drivers’ championship.
On the Total Motorsport F1 Show, F1 expert Ed Spencer noted that Russell’s seat might be at risk as Toto Wolff continues to pursue Max Verstappen.
“Russell has shown impressive speed, but his race strategy on Sundays has been lacking,” Spencer remarked. “That’s likely why Toto isn’t closing the door on a potential Verstappen move. He may revisit this option in the next year or so.
“I think many teams will be interested in Russell if he becomes available in 2025 or 2026. He remains a very talented driver, but right now, his position is under scrutiny.
“Mercedes is also emphasizing their commitment to their future, highlighting the talents from their academy and their long-term plans. While they are building for the future, George Russell will need to address several concerns in the coming months.”
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