George Russell recently tested the Mercedes F1 car configured for junior driver Kimi Antonelli, discovering that the setup adjustments had a much larger impact than he initially expected.
The test was designed to compare different aerodynamic and mechanical configurations, helping the team understand how various driving styles affect the W15’s performance.
Russell noted that the specific changes made to accommodate the young Italian driver provided surprising clarity on the car’s handling limits and stability issues.
The insights gained from this comparison are expected to help Mercedes engineers refine their development path as they struggle to close the gap to the front-runners.
By exploring Antonelli’s unique car settings, Russell found new directions for his own setup, potentially unlocking more consistent pace for future qualifying sessions.
This collaborative testing approach highlights Mercedes’ commitment to using their junior talent pool to accelerate technical improvements during a challenging season.
