George Russell will become the biggest name at Mercedes this season following the departure of Lewis Hamilton. He’s already a multiple race-winner, while rookie teammate Kimi Antonelli is one of the youngest drivers in F1 history.
McLaren enter the season as reigning constructors’ champions, having pipped Hamilton’s new team Ferrari to the title. Max Verstappen will look to win the drivers’ title for a record-equalling fifth straight season.
All three teams are expected to be contenders, but there’s uncertainty around Mercedes. At their best, they had the fastest car on track; at their worst, they slipped towards the midfield.
In general, the Silver Arrows have been painfully inconsistent since the start of F1’s ground-effect era. In terms of victories, 2024 was more successful, but optimism levels must be managed after a multitude of false dawns.
If they remain the fourth-fastest team on balance, Mercedes may be one of the first to switch focus to 2026. Their position in the constructors’ may already be secure.
Verstappen expects Mercedes to have the best engine in 2026, just as they did in 2014. This could place them at the top of the pecking order.
George Russell’s comments about Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton were music to the ears of Mercedes staff
If Russell does have the equipment to fight Verstappen, whether that’s in 2025 or 2026, a gripping rivalry could develop. The two drivers were involved in a remarkable spat at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Verstappen said he’d ‘lost all respect’ for Russell over his behaviour in the stewards’ room at the Qatar GP. The Red Bull driver received a one-place penalty for allegedly impeding the Briton, which meant they swapped places on the front row.
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Russell claimed that Verstappen threatened to take him out at the first corner. He painted the four-time champion as a bully who couldn’t cope with adversity.
“Lewis didn’t back down,” Russell said, in reference to his former teammate’s epic 2021 duel with the Dutchman. According to Autosport, he sees this as the ‘blueprint’ for fighting Verstappen.
And this is apparently ‘music to many an ear’ within the Mercedes team. They relish the idea that he’ll adopt the same aggressive tactics, both in and out of the car.
Where F1 bosses stand on Max Verstappen dispute with George Russell
Russell has taken the ‘lessons’ of 2021 onboard, the report says. He was one of the drivers who called out the FIA over the extremely controversial conclusion at Yas Marina.
Verstappen and Hamilton were involved in three major incidents over the course of the season (Great Britain, Italy and Saudi Arabia). The Silverstone crash ended with the former going to hospital for checks.
Recalling the incident, Toto Wolff says Hamilton decided not to yield. He wanted to show Verstappen he wouldn’t back down, though he did pick up a penalty.
F1 organisers want the Verstappen/Russell feud to continue in 2025. They believe it provides great entertainment for the fans in an era where the drivers are arguably too friendly.
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