F1 News: F1 Insider Claims "Top Man" George Russell Ready To Lead Mercedes After Lewis Hamilton Exit
Former F1 driver and Sky F1 Pundit Martin Brundle has given his verdict on George Russell, who is all set to lead Mercedes into an era barring Lewis Hamilton from 2025. Brundle thinks the 25-year-old is "ready to pick up the mantle at Mercedes" as he "has measured himself against Lewis and looks incredibly strong".
Russell stands out as the sole Mercedes driver to secure a race victory since the onset of the ground effect era in 2022, underscoring his prowess, particularly when competing alongside the seven-time world champion.
While many viewed Hamilton's presence in the team as overshadowing the young drivers' capabilities, 2025 paves the way to a more independent start for Russell. The possibility comes up after Hamilton's shock revelation early this month, of leaving Mercedes for Ferrari next year.
However, before that unfolds, a full season awaits the two Mercedes drivers, making it intriguing to observe their dynamic, as well as the team's interaction with Hamilton, given his impending switch next month.
Brundle speculates that if they acquire a championship-winning car, Russell could present a formidable challenge to Hamilton, positioning the young Mercedes driver as a potent contender. He said on Sky Sports F1:
“I should think he’d be thinking [‘I’m] pleased. That’s good. I am top man here unquestionably now’,
“George is ready to pick up the mantle at Mercedes Benz, there’s no doubt about it at all, and he’s measured himself against statistically and arguably the greatest Formula 1 driver of all time – that’s a debate we could have all afternoon back to Fangio and Moss – but George has measured himself against Lewis and looks incredibly strong, very equal.
“If Mercedes have got a championship winning car this year, who would win? Would it be George or Lewis? I think it’d be really close. So that’s the level that George is at now.”
When asked if Mercedes would feel let down after Hamilton joined Ferrari, Brundle answered:
“I don’t think so, because nothing’s forever, is it?
“You don’t sign a contract and one of the clauses is ‘we will never leave you’ and the other side of it is ‘we will never fire you or take somebody else’.
“It’s a moving thing in any sport, as you know, so I think it might just energise both sides.
“Mercedes have George Russell, what a brilliant young talent he is, and he’s really ready for the future.
“They can bring somebody else in now whether it’s a [Carlos] Sainz, an [Alex] Albon, they’ve got access to Esteban Ocon, for example.
“Let’s see who else they’re looking around at, but I think both Ferrari and Mercedes must see this like a reset and an opportunity.”
The statements from Brundle come a few days after Toto Wolff, the team principal, voiced his confidence in Russell as a prospective team leader at Mercedes post-Hamilton's departure.