Russell’s spectacular begin to the 2025 season
The final time an intense title battle between two teammates was witnessed was in 2016 between Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes. The 2 had been all the time good pals, however the contest for the 2016 world title noticed excessive tensions, with the friendship ultimately going awry in the course of the Spanish Grand Prix, the place the 2 drivers collided, taking one another out. Everyone knows how that race ended: Max Verstappen clinched his first victory on his debut for Purple Bull in Barcelona. The title went to Rosberg, who then determined to retire.
Whereas Russell has but to actually compete for victories in 2025, he tends to be well-placed. Combating for positions typically happens forward and behind the Brit whereas he calmly runs his race. Requested whether or not Russell may gain advantage from the title battle between Piastri and Norris this season, Doornbos informed GPblog: “100 per cent, 100 per cent. I believe that Russell has actually stepped up this yr.”
Russell has taken three podiums to begin the 2025 season, catapulting him to P4 within the championship standings
Russell driving his option to a brand new Mercedes contract
“He is constant, and he actually looks like he is the crew chief,” continued the Dutchman. “The stress from a younger tremendous expertise on the rise, whom the crew boss is nearly in love with, enjoying nearly a paternal function and selling him closely… Sure, you then need to ship. And with all due respect to Russell, on this manner, he is simply forcing a brand new contract. And presumably stress for a primary world title.”
Antonelli Additionally Impresses
Requested which rookies have made essentially the most impression in 2025, Russell’s teammate was talked about, alongside one other spectacular younger driver thus far: “Antonelli and Isaac Hadjar. I believe these two, since you all the time have to think about the standard relative to the fabric they’ve.
“Gabriel Bortoletto is simply arduous to evaluate in the intervening time. As a result of he is driving a automotive that is simply not aggressive. And he himself desires to be taught, to rack up miles. Whereas he is very gifted. But when I’ve to decide on now, then it is Antonelli,” Doornbos concluded.
This text was written in collaboration with Olly Darcy
