George Russell has described why he’s conscious of the menace Kimi Antonelli might pose throughout their first season paired collectively.
Antonelli has been promoted to a Mercedes drive this 12 months, changing Lewis Hamilton who departed the squad in favour of a brand new chapter at Ferrari.
The Italian has spiralled up the racing ladder en path to F1, having been a part of the Mercedes growth programme for a number of years, having fun with varied success in karting and single-seater championships.
The 18-year-old has been hailed for the uncooked velocity displayed all through his quick profession to this point, which Russell expects will put him underneath strain regardless of having expertise over his rookie team-mate.
“I feel he’ll undoubtedly hold me on my toes, there’s little question about that,” Russell instructed sport.de. “After I suppose again to once I was 18, I do not really feel any sooner right now.
“I really feel extra skilled. I understand how to cope with the strain of F1 and every part that comes with working with a staff of two,000 individuals.
“However by way of velocity, you both have it otherwise you don’t. I feel he has it, so I’ll give him loads of respect.”
Mercedes enter the 12 months seeking to put its woes of the final three seasons behind it and sit as a constant front-runner as soon as once more.
Whereas Russell outlined the pair will work collectively to realize the most effective end result for the staff, he’s cautious Antonelli will push to impress at an early stage.
“We’ll work nicely as a staff, I’m excited to see what he can obtain,” Russell stated.
“However it is best to by no means be naive, particularly when the children are coming in, as a result of I bear in mind once I was that age, and you’ve got loads of hearth inside you.”
