Russell voices Mercedes worry after Antonelli smash

George Russell has admitted Mercedes “lost quite a few parts” following Andrea Kimi Antonelli's high-speed shunt during Friday practice at Monza.

Antonelli made his FP1 debut at the Italian Grand Prix before being confirmed as a full-time Mercedes driver for 2025 the following day.

However, his maiden F1 outing at a race weekend was far from ideal as a mistake at the Parbolica corner just 10 minutes into the session saw him impact the barrier at high speed.

Antonelli's impact was measured at 45G, but the 18-year-old was released from the medical centre after precautionary checks immediately after the incident.

Russell conceded Mercedes is now on the limit when it comes to up-to-date components, leaving it on the fringe of reverting back to old parts.

“Obviously we've lost quite a few parts,” Russell told media including RacingNews365. 

“Fingers crossed Lewis [Hamilton] and I don't do any further damage, otherwise we'll have to revert back to some of the old parts, unless we can get some new pieces made in the interim. 

“It's not the end of the world as long as we both don't do any further damage. As it stands, we don't have any spares of our upgraded stuff.”

Russell backs Antonelli to push Mercedes

Antonelli will join Russell at Mercedes next year, replacing seven-time world champion Hamilton who will depart Ferrari.

Russell expressed faith in Antonelli and hailed him as the right option to help push Mercedes back to a championship-winning position following its slump in the pecking order across the last three seasons.

“When I look back to when I was 18 years old, there's obviously so much to learn, but I think as a driver, you have the speed or you don't have the speed,” he said.

“I'm very confident Kimi has the speed. I think everybody on their journey is going to make mistakes, that's part of life and part of this sport. 

“I've no doubt Kimi is going to learn from [the crash], but he's definitely got the speed to help Mercedes get back to the front of the grid for next year onwards.

“That's exactly why he's going to be in the car alongside me next year.”