George Russell Drops Ferrari Comment As He Breaks Silence on Valtteri Bottas Joining Mercedes

George Russell also addressed his past relationship with Bottas, acknowledging that while they were once seen as rivals, their dynamic has changed.

George Russell is eager to learn about Ferrari’s power unit from Valtteri Bottas, who has returned to Mercedes as a reserve driver for the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Bottas, who raced with a Ferrari engine at Sauber for the past three years, has rejoined Mercedes after being dropped by Audi F1, which is set to take over Sauber’s operations next year. His return to the Silver Arrows comes as the team navigates a significant transition following Lewis Hamilton’s departure to Ferrari and the promotion of 18-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli to a full-time race seat alongside Russell.

The Finnish driver previously spent five seasons with Mercedes from 2017 to 2021, securing 10 race victories and playing a crucial role in five consecutive Constructors’ Championship wins. Now, Bottas will take on a reserve role while also serving as a mentor to Antonelli, a move that Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has described as instrumental in the young driver’s development.

Russell, who took over Bottas’ seat at the end of the 2021 season, has welcomed the experienced Finn back into the team. Despite their past on-track rivalry—most notably their crash at the 2021 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix—the Briton now sees Bottas as a valuable asset to Mercedes’ future success.

“His experience is going to be massive,” Russell said. “Having someone with so much simulator and racing knowledge, and who fully knows the team, is going to be great.”

Beyond his role as a mentor, Bottas’ knowledge of Ferrari’s power unit could provide crucial insights for Mercedes as they attempt to close the gap to their rivals. The Silver Arrows have been searching for ways to improve their power unit’s performance, and with Hamilton now driving for Ferrari, understanding the Italian team’s strengths will be more important than ever.

“Hearing about his last few years at Sauber, with the Ferrari engine, could be key too,” Russell added. “You always have to keep an open mind as to what others are doing, and he has all of that under his belt.”

Bottas’ stint at Sauber gave him direct experience with Ferrari’s powertrain, an area where the Scuderia has made significant advancements in recent years. With Hamilton now driving for Ferrari, Mercedes will be looking for any possible advantage as they prepare for the 2025 season.

Russell also addressed his past relationship with Bottas, acknowledging that while they were once seen as rivals, their dynamic has changed.

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“Obviously years ago we were perceived to not have a strong relationship, but we are both professionals and our relationship has grown,” he said. “We often travel together and see each other at hotels or in the gym.”