Mercedes could only gamble on Kimi Antonelli because of George Russell, Toto Wolff told staff
Mercedes would not have been able to take the risk of promoting Kimi Antonelli without already having George Russell, according to a message Toto Wolff sent to the entire team. Antonelli joined Mercedes in 2025 after seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton moved to Ferrari. In only his second season in the series, the Italian driver became the youngest world champion in the history of F1 ...…
George Russell, a prominent Mercedes Formula 1 driver, has inaugurated the GR63 Academy, a fully-funded grassroots karting initiative aimed at addressing the prohibitive costs associated with junior karting. This program, a collaboration between Russell, Silverstone, and the British Racing Drivers' Club, is designed to provide a legitimate path for talented young drivers who face financial barriers to entry in the sport.
Russell, reflecting on his own journey, emphasized how karting ignited his career and the challenges faced by young drivers who lack resources. The GR63 Academy seeks to give back to the sport by identifying hidden talent and offering comprehensive support to nurture their potential. The selection process for the inaugural 2027 season is merit-based, with no consideration given to financial capabilities.
Prospective participants will undergo a series of stages at the Silverstone karting circuit, commencing with arrive-and-drive qualifying sessions from December 2026 to January 2027.
The top 80 drivers from the initial qualifying stage will advance to a shootout, followed by 25 young drivers chosen to join the GR63 Academy for the 2027 championship. These participants will compete in an eight-round series, with each round held at different configurations of Silverstone's track. The academy covers all participation costs, including racing gear, ensuring the selected drivers have everything they need to compete.
Throughout the championship, drivers will be assessed on various aspects, including racecraft, raw lap times, physical fitness, and media skills. George Russell himself will mentor the young drivers, guiding them through the development process.
The culmination of the GR63 Academy will take place in December 2027, when the top five finishers will compete in a final race at Silverstone. The winner of this grand finale will receive a fully funded karting season for the 2028 calendar year, marking the completion of the academy's journey to cultivate the next generation of motorsport talent.
Written by urgent.news from Motorsport.com's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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