Martin Brundle fires a warning to George Russell ahead of Mercedes move next season

Martin Brundle fires a warning to George Russell ahead of Mercedes move next season

George Russell, Lewis Hamilton

George Russell is undoubtedly one of the most talented drives on the circuit. The young Briton has been associated with Williams for three years, and will finally bid adieu to its first Formula One team this season. Mercedes had already confirmed the signing of George Russell a few months ago, and he will replace Valtteri Bottas at the Silver Arrows.

Former Formula One driver, Martin Brundle believes that George Russell will have his task out cut against at Mercedes next season, and he cannot afford to have a poor season. Brundle stated that one needs to be fierce if racing alongside Lewis Hamilton, and believes that George Russell has what it takes to be a Mercedes driver.

“He is confident, and you need to be,” Brundle told Autosport, about Russell.

“I don’t know which other young driver would have coped with Imola, where you throw away, for the second consecutive year, Williams points and wipe out the works Mercedes you’re hoping to get in en route with your accident, and then get out and blame that driver, and then get a lift home with Toto [Wolff] on his jet that night. So, you know, he is a confident lad,” he added.

You can’t ever go on the missing list: Martin Brundle

Valtteri Bottas, George Russell
Valtteri Bottas, George Russell

Martin Brundle stated that George Russell has a good blend of confidence and skill, which will help him remain competitive at Mercedes. However, he warned the youngster of not going on the missing list, just like Valtteri Bottas did during his spell at the German giants.

“When you get in a car like that, as Valtteri’s found out, you can’t ever go on the missing list,” Brundle opined.

“Everybody notices how you’re performing, so the spotlight will be fierce, and you don’t really know until you get in that spotlight whether you grow, it’s a source of energy, or whether you wither like a flower, and we’ll have to wait and see what George does,” he added.

Martin Brundle believes that George Russell can deal with the pressure at Mercedes, but it will not be an easy situation for him.

“I believe he’s got the talent and the confidence to weather the initial how fast is Lewis Hamilton. But you know, it didn’t exactly slow him down when he got in the car in Bahrain, did it?,” he added.

“So no, I don’t fear for George. I think he’s good enough and talented enough and confident enough to cope with that. But it won’t be easy,” Brundle concluded.

Also Read: Williams Boss Josh Capito Warns Hamilton About George Russell: “He is strong enough”