What the teams said – race day at the Australian Grand Prix 2025

Mercedes

Russell started fourth place and ran fourth all day. He was in no way from the pace of the front runners, but good from them. He was also on the phone at the right time and inherited third place when Piatri started and no foot was wrong if he grabbed a well -deserved podium. With regard to Antonelli, he revived the early part of the race with some good overhaul, without losing his nerve despite a rotation. He continued to climb through the field and took the flag to fourth place, but thanks to a time penalty for an unsafe publication fifth. That was later overturned, so he ended an impressive P4 at the debut.

Read more: Antonelli has led back to P4

George Russell, 3.

“It was not an easy race for anyone, so I am pleased to bring it home in P3 and take our first podium finish of the new season. It was sometimes a challenge, especially under the changeable conditions. There were moments when the rain became a bit more difficult, and was running for networking, and then ended up. If we want to challenge McLaren under normal conditions.

“Kimi did a great job for his first race. From P16 to P4, it is impressive at all times. It is therefore fantastic.

Kimi Antonelli, 4th

“It was an incredibly eventful race! Tempo to challenge the McLarens, it is always good to record silverware.

“The whole weekend was a good learning experience. It was obviously disappointing to be beaten in the first quarter in the first quarter. Today it is really good for my development as a F1 driver. We had a strong first weekend and I look forward to building up in China next week.”

Toto Wolff, head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport

“Both drivers did a great job today under very challenging conditions. George drove an excellent and controlled race to end the podium, while Kimi showed a lot of maturity. In addition to the speed we know to fight to fight through P16 to P4. Be satisfied with our Sunday.

“The McLarens were incredibly fast today. We know that we have to find more performance to challenge them under normal conditions. However, we clearly took one step forward in winter and we can be encouraged by it. Both drivers have worked well, the car reacts to their posts and it is a solid platform on which we can build up.

Andrew Shovlin, head of the Trackside Engineering Director

“We can look forward to the start that we have made in the new season today. The conditions were difficult for the drivers and the team in the company. You have coordinated with everything that the race was able to throw calmly and efficiently.

“George drove a thoughtful race and maximized the result. We did not have the pace to challenge the McLarens on the front, and focused on saving his between tire in the first half of the race.

“We are now traveling to China, where we further expand our knowledge of the W16 and our relative performance compared to our competitors. It is a completely different kind of circuit than Melbourne and delivers useful findings. We will search for another strong weekend and build on this positive first race of 2025.”