the source of this article is the official site of AMG Petronas F1 Team
With the Formula One season quickly approaching, teams and drivers are ramping up their preparations to tackle another year of intense competition and high-speed action. As they return to the factory and fine-tune their machines, the focus is on the future and what’s to come in 2025.
For George Russell, this season marks the beginning of a new chapter in his motorsport career. We caught up with the British driver as he returned to the Brackley factory, where he gave us an insight into his mindset as he gears up for the year ahead. In the first of a two-part interview, George opens up about his goals for the season, his return to physical preparation, and his work with adidas.
As the winter break comes to a close, the Formula One world begins to stir back to life. For George, the offseason provided some much-needed rest, but he was eager to get back to work.
“The break is needed for everyone in Formula One, but in all honesty, I was eager to get back to it,” he said during our chat at the Brackley factory. “There is a bit of time until the first race, but the first day here is a step towards that.”
What excites George the most about returning to the factory is seeing the team's renewed energy. “What’s so great being back is that you see how motivated everybody is to go racing and see how the car is,” he shared.
Despite the break, George wasn’t resting on his laurels. As soon as January began, he was back into training mode, starting physical preparations with his trainer, Aleix. "I started my physical preparation on 2 January. We’ve done a few weeks now, and the second week was absolutely brutal," George admitted.
“I kept moving over the break anyway, keeping mobile to avoid sitting around all day doing nothing. Exercise for me is more than just about physique; it’s a great way of making me feel good and helps my mental health. That’s why I don’t want to stop."
New Year, Same Goals: Focus on Personal Improvement
When it comes to setting goals for the season, George takes a pragmatic approach. In a sport where so much is dependent on the car's performance, setting specific race targets can be challenging. For him, it's not about chasing numbers but improving in key areas.
“My goals are very much the same, and the approach has not changed,” George explained. “Formula One is so unique, so you cannot really set goals like that. If I say I want to win four races this year because last year I won three, I’m not going to be satisfied if I win five but the car is capable of 10.”
Instead of focusing on a set number of wins, George sets more detailed targets related to his own performance. “I tend to keep my goals on more detailed targets. Last year, qualifying was my strength, but my race pace was not always the best. I know I have the speed over one lap, but there’s no reason why I shouldn’t be able to convert that over the course of a race."
The consistency of performance across race weekends is what George is after. He acknowledged the need for improvement in specific areas and highlighted that there are goals that fans may not see but are at the forefront of his mind. “There will be some other goals – that perhaps are not clear to the fans at home but are at the forefront of my mind.”
For George, the start of a new season offers a chance to reassess and adapt. "The great thing about F1 is you enter a new year with a new car and new limitations. Something that may have been a strength last year may not be this year. You always have to adapt."
When the lights go out in Melbourne in March, George Russell will be 27 years old. While not quite old by F1 standards, he certainly feels a shift in his role on the grid. After six years in the sport, including three seasons with Mercedes, George recognizes that he’s no longer the young up-and-comer.
“I recognise my role as the more experienced driver,” George shared. “There are a lot of great young drivers coming onto the grid, and it makes you realise you are no longer the youngster.”
Rather than seeing this as the beginning of the end of his career, George views it as the end of the beginning. “I am entering a new chapter in my career. I am ending my beginning and entering the mid stage,” he said.
George reflects on the careers of other F1 greats who hit their stride in their late 20s. "Lewis was 29 when he joined Mercedes and started winning all those championships, and Michael was in his early 30s at Ferrari," he pointed out. “Nowadays, everyone starts younger and younger—my debut came at 20. But I feel ready now to fulfil roles at the team.”
This sense of maturity is evident in his approach. “I’ll continue to want to learn and be open and take nothing for granted,” he added. “You either have the speed or you don’t, but there is no doubt these guys coming in are going to be competitive.”
One of the most exciting developments for Mercedes in 2025 is the addition of 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli, who steps up from the Junior Programme to become a full-time F1 driver. For George, having such a talented new teammate is an exciting prospect, even if Kimi is just starting his F1 journey.
“He is such a fantastic driver. He does not have the experience yet, but I am sure he will be up to speed very quickly,” George said of Kimi. “He has already integrated so well. We have both been racing from a young age, and we know what needs to be fed back to the team. He is young, but his opinion will be just as valid.”
It’s clear that George sees Kimi’s arrival as a positive addition to the team, and he’s ready to support the young driver as he adjusts to the demands of F1
Alongside the fresh faces in the team, 2025 also sees a familiar face return to Mercedes. Valtteri Bottas, who spent five seasons with the team, is back as the Third Driver after a three-year stint away.
Valtteri’s wealth of experience will be invaluable, and George is looking forward to working alongside his former teammate once again. “His experience is going to be massive. Having someone with so much simulator and racing knowledge, and who fully knows the team is going to be great,” George explained.
There’s also the benefit of Valtteri’s experience with Sauber and Ferrari engines, which could provide valuable insights as Mercedes looks to maintain its competitive edge. “Hearing about his last few years at Sauber, with the Ferrari engine, could be key too,” George added. “You always have to keep an open mind as to what others are doing, and he has all of that under his belt.”
While their relationship was once seen as somewhat strained, time has helped both drivers grow closer. “Obviously, years ago we were perceived to not have a strong relationship, but we are both professionals and our relationship has grown,” George shared. “We often travel together and see each other at hotels or in the gym.”
And as for the prospect of hairstyle tips between the two? George jokingly suggested, “Maybe he could give me some of his at the back, and I can give him some of my hair from the side—I think we would be able to make something pretty extraordinary from the two!”
Encouraging the Future: F1 Academy and Doriane Pin
As someone who has come through the Junior Programme, George is passionate about nurturing the next generation of drivers. He’s particularly excited about the F1 Academy, a platform that showcases emerging talent. With Doriane Pin returning for her second season, George is eager to follow her progress and support the future of the sport.
“F1 Academy belongs on the F1 support bill, it should not be anywhere else,” George said. “Doriane started off really well and had a strong season last year, it will be exciting to see her back and keep a close eye on how she performs this time around.”
As the 2025 season approaches, George is entering a pivotal stage in his career. With a mix of fresh talent, experienced teammates, and a clear focus on his own development, he is poised to make the most of his fourth year with Mercedes. As the team prepares for the challenges ahead, George’s mature approach and commitment to improvement will undoubtedly play a key role in shaping the team’s success this year.
02.02.2025