Ahead of Valtteri Bottas’ return to Mercedes, George Russell is hopeful that the ten-time F1 race winner Finnish driver will bring a wealth of experiences to the Brackley-based outfit.
Mercedes is facing a few key changes this season after the departure of Lewis Hamilton, who secured a total of six F1 drivers championship with the Brackley-based outfit and also helped it to grab eight constructors’ title.
The seven-time world champion’s vacant seat will be filled by 18-year old Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The Bologna-born driver has only complete a single season in Formula 2, and will now partner George Russell at the successful F1 outfit.
However, there will another key change to Mercedes’ driver line-up. Having acted as Mercedes’ reserve driver last season, seven-time F1 champion Michael Schumacher’s son Mick Schumacher left the German-Anglo outfit.
Having left the Sauber outfit at the end of last season, Valtteri Bottas will now return to Mercedes, taking on the role of reserve driver. The Finn has collected 10 wins, 67 podiums and five consecutive Constructors‘ titles with Mercedes which hopes that Bottas will bring an invaluable wealth of experience to its preparation for the 2025 and the 2026 F1 season which will bring an all-new technical regulation.
Commenting on Bottas’ arrival at Mercedes, Russell has revealed that he has a “strong relationship” with the Finn driver despite the fact that he took over his car in 2022.
“His experience is going to be massive. Having someone with so much simulator and racing knowledge, and who fully knows the team is going to be great,” he says.
“Hearing about his last few years at Sauber, with the Ferrari engine could be key too. You always have to keep an open mind as to what others are doing and he has all of that under his belt.
“Obviously years ago we were perceived to not have a strong relationship, but we are both professionals and our relationship has grown, we often travel together and see each other at hotels or in the gym.”
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