01 February 2024 , 16:54
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Martin Brundle believes George Russell could thrive in being "top man" at Mercedes after Lewis Hamilton leaves.
The 2024 season is set to be the seven-time world champion's last with the Silver Arrows. After 11 years, Hamilton will leave the team to join Ferrari ahead of the 2025 campaign in a move that has rocked the Formula 1 world.
It will bring to an end a golden era for both parties. Though they haven't enjoyed much success in the last two years, Mercedes won eight constructors' titles with Hamilton leading their charge on track, while six of the Briton's seven drivers' championship successes came while driving for the Silver Arrows.
And it will also end a brilliant British driver partnership at the team. By the end of this year, Russell will have had three full seasons racing alongside Hamilton and learning from the 39-year-old.
More than that, Brundle believes Russell has held his own against his much more experienced team-mate. Hamilton out-scored him by 65 points last year but, in their first season together, it was the younger Brit who scored the lion's share of Mercedes points.
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And now that Hamilton is on his way out, the Sky Sports pundit is sure Russell will be licking his lips at the prospect of taking his place as team leader. "He'll be thinking, 'That's good - I am the top man here unquestionably now'," said Brundle.
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"George is ready to pick up the mantle at Mercedes-Benz, there's no doubt about that at all. And he's measured himself against statistically and arguably the greatest Formula 1 driver of all time - that's a debate we can have all afternoon, back to Fangio and Moss.
"But George has measured himself against Lewis and been 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 would be really close. That's the level that George is at now."
Brundle also spoke about how much he is "looking forward" to seeing Hamilton race in Ferrari colours alongside Charles Leclerc. And colleague David Croft gave a similarly enthusiastic response to the news on social media.
Sky's lead commentator wrote: "Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari! Always thought it would happen one day, finally it will and it seems as early as 2025. Seismic move just as it was when Lewis joined Mercedes and like then I don’t see the negatives. But wow, undoubtedly the biggest transfer on transfer Deadline Day!"