Russell anticipates Mercedes to treat their incoming F1 teammate equally when it comes to upgrades.

After Lewis Hamilton departs the Mercedes Formula 1 team in 2025 to join Ferrari, George Russell anticipates the team will stick to its policy of giving drivers equal treatment when it comes to improvements.


Throughout Russell's, Nico Rosberg, and now Valtteri Bottas's tenure with Hamilton since 2013, Mercedes has consistently refrained from officially endorsing a driver ranked first.

Russell, a veteran Mercedes driver, has a contract that runs out to the end of 2025, despite the seven-time champion leaving the Silver Arrows to join Ferrari at the end of the season.

But Russell thinks Mercedes would adhere to its equal treatment policy regardless of whether it manages to entice Max Verstappen from Red Bull, signs Fernando Alonso or fired Ferrari racer Carlos Sainz, or decides to elevate its F2 protégé Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

When asked if his attitude inside the squad had altered after learning of Hamilton's imminent departure, Russell answered, "Lewis has been very professional with the team since his news."

"My working relationships with all of the Mercedes employees seem to be unchanged.

"The team has been amazing and has offered us both equal chances. That has been the case from the beginning.

"Instead of going to one team before the other, any upgrades to the car will be applied to both of us simultaneously." And at Mercedes, that is always the procedure.

Russell's ability to take charge and guide the team has received a lot of attention, but the British player stated he expected this egalitarianism to be true "no matter who my team-mate is going to be."

"They want to give both drivers the best chance of achieving the best result," he went on. "That will still be the same going into next year, regardless of who my team-mate is."

Verstappen is reportedly Wolff's "number one pick" for 2025. Given the unrest surrounding team manager Christian Horner and advisor Helmut Marko, it seems less likely that the Dutch driver will see out the remainder of his Red Bull contract, which expires at the end of 2028.

When asked if Verstappen might start at Mercedes right now and boost the output of its W15 rival, who has been inconsistent thus far, Wolff responded, "No," to Fox Sports Australia. Although he is exceptional, we would give him an automobile that is challenging to set up and operate.

"I would much rather take that step, go out there, and tell them, 'This is a car you could drive because it's moving quickly.'"

Mercedes anticipates deciding on its lineup of drivers in the latter part of August.


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