George Russell is eager to learn Valtteri Bottas’ Ferrari secrets (Image: Getty)
is planning talks with new hire about the power unit as the Silver Arrows seek an advantage over their Italian rivals.
Bottas spent three seasons driving with engines during his ill-fated spell at Sauber and now returns to his former employers in a test and reserve role as he looks to return to full-time racing in F1.
Incumbent driver Russell sees Bottas’ return to the team as a huge net positive despite their frayed relations in the past. The Brit crashed with his new team-mate while driving for Williams at the 2021 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, denying him a golden opportunity to claim points in F1 for the first time.
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“His experience is going to be massive,” Russell told the website. “Having someone with so much simulator and racing knowledge, and who fully knows the team, is going to be great.
“Hearing about his last few years at Sauber, with the engine, could be key too. You always have to keep an open mind as to what others are doing, and he has all of that under his belt.
“Obviously, years ago, we were perceived to not have a strong relationship, but we are both professionals and our relationship has grown. We often travel together and see each other at hotels or in the gym.”
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Valtteri Bottas joins Mercedes after three years with Sauber (Image: Getty)
Aside from his insider knowledge of the power unit, Bottas will play another valuable role in 2025. “Part of the role of Valtteri will be to have a look on Kimi [Antonelli],” told . “Be there to coach, be there to have an eye on what’s happening on the track. And Kimi is going to learn from Valtteri and from George.”
Antonelli will make his F1 debut in rare circumstances at the Australian Grand Prix, lining up for at 18. Few drivers debut in front-running teams, and even fewer get to do so while still in their teenage years.
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The Italian starlet faces a baptism of fire, too. In Russell, he faces a team-mate who got the better of seven-time world champion in 2024 and who has embedded himself as the team leader of the future since replacing Bottas in 2022.
The 18-year-old arrives on motorsport’s biggest stage with plenty of pedigree and no doubts about his speed. Still, a crash two laps into his FP1 debut at the Italian Grand Prix last September will be playing on the minds of some engineers heading into his rookie campaign.