George Russell is the pre-season favorite for glory in 2026.
George Russell and Mercedes are the pre-season title favourites (Picture: Getty)
Martin Brundle believes George Russell is able to change into a Formulation 1 world champion and “has bought all the boldness he wants” to ship this yr. Nevertheless, whether or not or not the 28-year-old can ship on his pre-season standing because the bookies’ favorite for the title will rely upon the brand new Mercedes automotive residing as much as the hype.
The Silver Arrows did look sturdy in pre-season testing, whereas Russell and key figures like staff principal Toto Wolff have given an air of confidence forward of the brand new marketing campaign. However rival groups additionally delivered stronger reliability and tempo than some had anticipated, muddying the waters considerably forward of subsequent weekend’s opener in Melbourne.
And Brundle too thinks that there’s “not a transparent favorite” because it stands, regardless of the bookies giving Russell and Mercedes considerably shorter odds than another groups. However one factor the Sky Sports activities pundit and former F1 driver has little doubt about is that his fellow Brit is able to seize any alternative that comes.
Brundle stated: “I do suppose he is prepared for it. He is a sensible man – they’re all good guys – although George has bought the staff round him. Kimi [Antonelli] might be stronger this yr within the different automotive, however George is totally out of Lewis [Hamilton]’s shadow there. He is the king of the fort at Mercedes-Benz. He did all these years at Williams after which he went to Mercedes once they simply stopped dominating, so he is executed the arduous yards.
“I believe he is bought the expertise, he is bought the automotive management, and I believe he’ll command the respect within the staff to assist drive what is going on to be an extremely changeable yr. I believe his team-mate Kimi Antonelli could have an awesome season as nicely.
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Mercedes have excessive hopes for Antonelli’s future, having fast-tracked him into F1 as an 18-year-old final yr, and the Italian teenager will undoubtedly higher off with a yr’s expertise of the game underneath his belt. However Brundle is definite that Russell could have sufficient to see off any risk that comes from his team-mate, including: “Keep in mind, [Russell] grew up in Lewis Hamilton’s shadow at Mercedes, and he dealt with that, and finally within the remaining yr they have been team-mates, he beat Lewis clearly.
“So, I’ve no doubts about him in anyway. They’re all world-class drivers in F1, you have to beat them by some means. I believe George has bought a lot expertise now regardless of not being 30 but, that I do not suppose something will distract him if he is bought a championship-winning automotive.”
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