Mercedes have a brand new driver on their books – and feedback he made up to now might not sit too properly with George Russell or Kimi Antonelli
George Russell and Kimi Antonelli have a brand new Mercedes team-mate (Picture: Getty)
George Russell has a brand new team-mate at Mercedes – and the outspoken younger driver has not been shy about sharing his views on Kimi Antonelli up to now. Earlier this week, the Silver Arrows confirmed the signing of former System 2 champion Theo Pourchaire, who claimed the F2 title in 2023.
The Frenchman joins Mercedes in a growth function and can act as reserve driver to Russell and Antonelli, who’re set to start their second season as System 1 team-mates subsequent weekend. This marks Pourchaire’s third stint as an F1 reserve. He beforehand served in the identical capability for Sauber in 2024 and Alfa Romeo in 2023, though he’s nonetheless ready to make his race debut within the competitors. Through the 2024 marketing campaign, Pourchaire argued that it was “unfair” for drivers who had not received the F2 championship – comparable to Antonelli and Haas driver Oliver Bearman – to be promoted to F1 forward of those that had secured the title.
“I did my finest on monitor. Positive, some folks say I received the championship in my third 12 months of F2 and it would not sound nice, however I received it after I was 20. I am the youngest race winner in F2 and F3, so I’ve nothing to show,” Pourchaire informed MotorSport. “I simply want a possibility, that is all.”
Simply one of many final 4 F2 champions have managed to land a seat in F1, with 2024 winner Gabriel Bortoleto being signed by Audi Revolut forward of the 2026 season. The final F2 champion to efficiently cement a spot in F2 was 2021 champion Oscar Piastri, who was subsequently signed by McLaren as a reserve driver earlier than securing a everlasting seat on the staff in 2023.
Antonelli’s marketing campaign was broadly considered one of many strongest debut seasons in current System 1 historical past, additional underlining the dimensions of the duty going through Pourchaire if he hopes to power his method onto the grid with the Silver Arrows.
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