Mercedes Drivers Set for Nürburgring Test as Ricciardo Reflects on Career End

Mercedes will send George Russell and junior driver Kimi Antonelli to the Nürburgring for a private Pirelli tire test later this month, utilizing the canceled Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend. Meanwhile, Daniel Ricciardo has opened up about the mental toll of his final F1 seasons, revealing that being dropped by Racing Bulls in 2024 ultimately provided him with clarity and closure on a challenging chapter of his career.

Why it matters:

The Nürburgring test highlights how teams are adapting their programs during an unexpected gap in the calendar, offering valuable track time for both a current star and a highly touted prospect. Ricciardo’s candid reflections provide a rare, humanizing look at the psychological struggles drivers face when performance declines and careers reach a crossroads, underscoring the immense pressure in the sport beyond just lap times.

The details:

• Mercedes' Nürburgring Plans: George Russell and Kimi Antonelli are scheduled to test at the Nürburgring on the Grand Prix circuit layout, not the famed Nordschleife, following similar runs by McLaren's drivers.
• Closed-Door Session: The test will take place behind closed doors with no spectator access, capitalizing on the void left by the canceled Saudi Arabian and Bahrain Grands Prix.
• Ricciardo's Career Reflections: In a recent podcast, Ricciardo admitted his 2022 McLaren exit briefly made him consider retirement, but an internal drive pushed him to return with AlphaTauri (now Racing Bulls) in 2023.
• The Final Blow: He described the hand injury that season and his subsequent release in 2024 as mentally draining, but now views the final decision from Racing Bulls as a definitive endpoint that brought necessary clarity.

What's next:

For Mercedes, the test represents crucial mileage for Antonelli as he continues his development within the team's program, and valuable data collection for Russell ahead of the season's resumption in Miami. For Ricciardo, his public reflections signal a driver at peace with his decision to step away, closing a significant and popular chapter in modern F1 history.