George Russell has opened up about how Lewis Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes prompted a fundamental shift in his approach for 2025, leading to what he considers his most successful campaign in Formula 1 to date. While in previous years he often found himself “pushing beyond the limits,” this season he decided to “hold back” slightly—a tactical retreat that has yielded significantly better results on track.
Following three challenging years at Williams, the Briton was promoted to a Mercedes race seat alongside Hamilton in 2022. Their first year as teammates famously saw George Russell finish ahead of the seven-time World Champion in the standings, a feat he repeated during their final year together in 2024.
For the 2025 season, the 40-year-old Hamilton made his monumental move to Scuderia Ferrari, creating an extraordinary partnership between the sport’s most successful driver and its most iconic team. Despite the immense hype, the debut season in red was a struggle for the veteran Briton, who concluded the year in Abu Dhabi facing the statistically worst season of his entire career.
It was a completely different story for George Russell, who celebrated the end of his strongest season in the category in Abu Dhabi. Supported by his new teammate, Kimi Antonelli, George Russell helped Mercedes secure a solid second place in the Constructors’ Championship. The 27-year-old stood on the podium nine times throughout the year, including standout victories in Canada and Singapore, ensuring he finished directly behind the three main title protagonists. It has been an impressive campaign for the driver from King’s Lynn, whose performance levels have seen a clear upward trajectory since Hamilton left the Silver Arrows.
Russell admits to a change in mindset
When asked if he regarded 2025 as his best season yet, George Russell was candid: “Yes, I believe so. Certainly the most solid in terms of performance, emotional management, and the fewest number of mistakes. So yes, overall, it has been.”
George Russell went on to admit that his previous desire to prove his worth while driving alongside Hamilton at Mercedes often “bit him in the backside.” That constant urge to showcase his full potential sometimes backfired, making him more prone to errors during his initial years with the Brackley-based squad. However, with the seven-time champion now on his own journey with Ferrari, Russell has “backed off a bit” and minimized his on-track mistakes throughout 2025.
“I think it has always been in my nature, even before F1, and in a way, it helped me win championships,” the 27-year-old explained. “But it was specifically during my time with Lewis that I felt the need to push myself beyond my limits just to see if I had anything else to give. To go over the edge just to see what would happen.”
“In 2023, I wasn’t satisfied with just fighting for a podium. I wanted to push beyond my limits to try and achieve an exceptional result, rather than just settling for a podium or a fourth place.”
“That approach got on my nerves a bit. So this year, I simply held back a little, and that has probably helped me achieve much better results,” the Mercedes No. 63 concluded.
The departure of a teammate as formidable as Lewis Hamilton has therefore allowed George Russell to transition from a driver trying to prove he belongs at the top to a refined leader who understands that consistency is the true key to a championship challenge. By finding this new emotional and technical balance, George Russell has not only stepped out of Hamilton’s shadow but has firmly established himself as the undisputed cornerstone of the Mercedes future.
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