Post-Lewis Hamilton F1 era begins for Mercedes: “We are optimistic”. The W16 of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will be unveiled on February 24.

A New Beginning (Without #44)
The launch of Mercedes’ new merchandise and, most notably, its Adidas-branded race suits provided the Silver Arrows’ key figures with their first official opportunity to speak in 2025. This season marks a significant turning point in the team’s recent history, as it enters the post-Hamilton era. While Ferrari has welcomed the seven-time world champion with boundless enthusiasm, at Brackley and Brixworth, there is a strong desire to surprise and prove that the team that dominated the first seven seasons of F1’s hybrid era can return to the top, even without its superstar, ushering in a new cycle.

With the arrival of the young Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the role of team leader has naturally fallen to George Russell, who will be responsible for guiding the team’s progress. Speaking to Sky Sports F1 at the Adidas event, the Briton—who won two Grands Prix in 2024—expressed confidence: “We are optimistic that this will be a good step in the right direction,” he said of the W16, which will be officially unveiled on February 24. “Of course, you never know what the rivals will do. This year, with an eye on 2026, it will be interesting to see if teams continue development or not.”

Ready to Return to Winning Ways
When asked if he feels ready to fight for his first world title should Mercedes provide him with a competitive car, George Russell had no doubts: “Absolutely, yes,” he said. “I feel ready, and everyone in the team is highly motivated. I see these past years as a test—we’ve made mistakes, but whenever we had the chance to win, we won. That gives me the optimism to believe that if we have the right car, we can do it. We are working at full capacity to make sure this is the year. It’s going to be an exciting season.”

George Russell’s optimism may not be just for show. Information gathered in the paddock by various news media outlets suggests that several Mercedes engineers are highly confident about the team’s 2025 campaign under Toto Wolff’s leadership. A direct comparison with rival cars is still needed, but the prevailing feeling is that the car being developed for Russell and Antonelli is coming together very well.