Mercedes have revealed their driver lineup for the upcoming Formula 1 pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit.
George Russell and rookie sensation Kimi Antonelli are set to share duties behind the wheel of the new W16.
This marks the team’s first season without Lewis Hamilton since 2012, following the British star’s blockbuster move to Ferrari in pursuit of an unprecedented eighth world title.
The Silver Arrows have tapped 18-year-old Antonelli to step into Hamilton’s shoes, making pre-season testing a critical proving ground for the highly rated Italian talent. To maximize track time, Mercedes are splitting all three days in Bahrain between their two drivers.
Antonelli will kick things off on Wednesday, February 26, taking the morning session before handing the W16 over to Russell for the afternoon.
The following day, Russell will drive in the morning, with Antonelli then claiming back-to-back sessions across Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. Russell will close out the test on Friday afternoon.
“This is an exciting moment for us,” a Mercedes spokesperson said. “Kimi’s got immense potential, and George is ready to lead the charge. These sessions will set the tone for 2025.”
The team are gearing up to unveil the W16 later today at the Bahrain circuit, with a filming day scheduled for tomorrow—where they’ll share the track with rivals Red Bull. Fans are eager to see how the new car performs as Mercedes aims to rebound from a challenging 2024 season.
The 2025 Formula 1 season roars to life with the Australian Grand Prix on March 16, where teams will battle over 58 laps of Melbourne’s 5.278-kilometer Albert Park circuit.
For Mercedes, the Bahrain test will be the first glimpse of whether Russell and Antonelli can ignite their championship hopes.
