George Russell says he would not have any choice as to who will take over as his staff mate at Mercedes as soon as Lewis Hamilton departs from Maranello on the finish of the season.
“I’d welcome anyone as my team-mate,” Russell stated this week. “I really feel like I’ve received a fairly good team-mate proper now as it’s, so yeah – I’d welcome anyone.”
F2 driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli is presently scorching favorite to take the second seat at Brackley subsequent yr after finishing what had been described as a ‘shootout’ take a look at with Mercedes reserve driver Mick Schumacher.
“I believe Kimi is a implausible driver,” Russell stated. “Clearly racing in Formulation 2 this yr, however he’s little doubt going to be a Formulation 1 driver sooner or later,” Russell acknowledged.
“He’s a fellow junior driver as nicely, coming via the ranks as I did with the staff, so I believe it makes for an ideal alternative for Mercedes constructing into the long run.
One other title being floated across the paddock is Max Verstappen, if he will be lured away from Crimson Bull.
“I would not draw back from leaping alongside Max, nor would I draw back from him leaping in with us,” Russell instructed the British Every day Mail newspaper this week.
“I had the largest problem of becoming a member of Mercedes in opposition to [Hamilton in 2022], the best driver of all time statistically in qualifying and within the race, and I carried out in opposition to him. That is all I can do.”
However whoever takes the spot, Russell’s goal stays the identical. “My job is to beat my teammate and get essentially the most out of the automotive,” he stated. “I’m a loyal man and Mercedes have given me the chance, however I wish to be a world champion.
“What offers me hope is that Max was in his seventh season when he fought for a title and I’m in my sixth,” he stated. “I’m 26, and Fernando Alonso is 43: seeing him carry out as he’s, I see no cause why I can’t go into my forties.
“I do know my time will come, I’m not anxious in any respect,” he insisted. “I’ve to maintain working laborious and never lose motivation since you don’t know when that likelihood will come.
He added a change within the Mercedes line-up line-up may show to be the increase Mercedes wants to beat its present stoop. “It is good Lewis is leaving us now slightly than in 2021, when it could have been troublesome for the entire staff,”
“It’s a recent begin for the staff. So many individuals right here have shared success with Lewis, however change usually ignites a brand new spark for everybody,” he stated. “It does that for Lewis [moving to Ferrari], and it sparks that for us right here subsequent yr.
“It’s important to adapt and evolve, and we’re in that means of constructing from the bottom up,” he added. “A yr in the past McLaren had been the slowest staff and now they’re the quickest.”
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