Russell downplays critical new Mercedes role after Hamilton exit

George Russell has downplayed becoming the lead driver of Mercedes following Lewis Hamilton's exit at the end of last season to join Ferrari. 

Whilst Russell and Hamilton were often separated by very little, Hamilton was still widely viewed as the Brackley-based team's lead driver due to his experience and achievements. 

However, with the 40-year-old having moved to Maranello to partner Charles Leclerc at Ferrari, Russell has found himself in the bigger spotlight at the Silver Arrows. 

Whilst Hamilton has moved to Italy, an Italian has moved into his seat at Mercedes after the Brackley-based outfit  promoted its teenage sensation Kimi Antonelli. 

Antonelli is one of six full-time rookies on the grid this year, while Russell is entering his seventh season in the pinnacle of motorsport. 

Understandably, Russell has been elevated into the lead role at Mercedes, with Antonelli needing time to settle into both the team and the championship.

Russell understands this having joined the team himself when he was young, but does not feel his position changes hugely with the 18-year-old's arrival.

Even if Hamilton had remained his team-mate, Russell still believes he would have risen to take on more responsibility based on his own amounting experience.

“To be honest, I think even if the line-up stayed the same this year going into this season, it's my fourth year with Mercedes,” Russell told select media including RacingNews365. 

“It's my seventh year in F1, I feel last year was probably my strongest season ever in Formula 1, and I feel I'm just getting stronger year on year. 

“So as I said, even if things had stayed the same, I felt a huge amount of support from the team. But equally, the team gave me that support when I joined in 2022.

“And now with Kimi alongside, Kimi is a super fast driver, super motivated. Of course, naturally, for any driver in their first year, a lot to learn. But I'm sure it's going to be a good season together.”