"We Always Knew...": On George Russell Replacing Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes Director's Huge Statement
George Russell has "stepped up" for Mercedes and grown into a leadership role since Lewis Hamilton left for Ferrari, the team's engineering director said Friday. Russell is now the German team's senior driver after seven-time world champion Hamilton departed at the end of last season and was replaced by 18-year-old rookie Kimi Antonelli. Russell has responded with two third-placed finishes to start the season and Andrew Shovlin said the 27-year-old Briton was embracing his role as Antonelli's mentor. "George is trying to give him the benefit of his experience," Shovlin said at the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka.


