Is George Russell's performance level at Mercedes a key factor in deciding who the second driver will be in 2025?
George Russell's 2024 performance level could decide Mercedes' future driver signing, believes Natalie Pinkham.
Wolff has thrown his support behind Russell – whose move to the team coincided with their dip in performance at the start of the new regulation cycle – to grow into the role of team leader as Hamilton departs, meaning there’s no immediate panic to try signing an established leading driver to replace the seven-time World Champion.
This scrutiny could decide what direction Mercedes decide to take for 2025, according to Sky F1’s Natalie Pinkham, who believes Russell flourishing will allow his team to take a risk on someone more unproven for the second seat – perhaps the highly-rated Formula 2 racer Kimi Antonelli. “I think if Russell falters, as we saw in Singapore, and little mistakes creep in – which I don’t think they will, but if they do – then I think they might be more inclined to go for Fernando , potentially,” Pinkham said of the rumours.But, with Mercedes not being a notable step up from where Aston Martin’s performance levels are at the moment, Pinkham reckons Alonso might opt against a switch to Brackley unless he feels the Aston Martin project isn’t going in the right way.
Appearing alongside Pinkham on the F1 Nation podcast was French L’Equipe F1 journalist Fred Ferret, who said that, whatever happens, he doubts Mercedes will take up the option of promoting Antonelli straight away.“It’s better to make younger ones learn away from the pressure even if Kimi Antonelli is set to be the next Messiah.
“I would bet on one last year for Fernando Alonso or one year for Esteban Ocon and see what happens,” he said.
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