Sky Sports F1’s Martin Brundle sees next year’s seismic shift in Formula 1 – Lewis Hamilton’s move from Mercedes to Ferrari – as an event that will “energise” the Brackley squad and its future leader George Russell.
Against all expectations, Ferrari announced at the beginning of this month that Hamilton will join the Scuderia from 2025 on a multi-year contract.
The deal is viewed as the greatest driver transfer in the history of the sport.
At Ferrari, Hamilton will partner with Charles Leclerc while the Briton’s departure from Mercedes leaves an important vacancy that the German outfit has yet to fill.
But regardless of who inherits Hamilton’s coveted seat, Brundle believes that the seven-time F1 world champion’s decision to leave a team he once called his surrogate family is a win-win situation for both Mercedes and Ferrari.
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"Everybody has got an opportunity here," Brundle told the Sky Sports F1 podcast.
"George Russell has got this shiny confidence, the talent, the speed and the experience to pick up the mantle and be the number one driver at Mercedes-Benz - I have no doubt about that at all.
"It will energise Mercedes, losing Lewis and it is an opportunity for them.”
But Brundle insists the unexpected event isn't just about the big names. The domino effect triggered by Hamilton's move has sent shivers of anticipation down the spines of other drivers.
Carlos Sainz, Esteban Ocon, Fernando Alonso, Mick Schumacher and even young Andrea Kimi Antonelli - each name a whisper of possibility, a potential heir to the vacant Mercedes seat.
They're all watching, calculating, their own journeys intertwined with the unfolding drama. But Mercedes is likely to take its time according to Brundle.
“Act in haste, repent at leisure, they can wait and see how Andrea Kimi Antonelli goes, they got Esteban Ocon I suspect, they've got access to Carlos Sainz and maybe Fernando Alonso,” added the ex- F1 driver.
"Mick Schumacher is also in the gang and any number of other drivers, so I think they'll see how this season goes, and why do they need to jump now?
"I also think it'll energise Ferrari and Charles Leclerc as well, and us talking about it, so I don't see any downsides.
"It is going to be emotional - Lewis is a winning machine and that is what he wants to do.
"It is a good contract and he'll be paid a lot of money and get a lot of live. It will be one of the biggest global sports stories in 2025, so I just see positives."
Brundle has no doubts about Hamilton’s commitment to Mercedes this season.
"I have no doubt he will give it absolutely everything until the last lap of the last race in Abu Dhabi for Mercedes-Benz, to be wearing those overalls holding that steering wheel, representing 1,500 people," he said.
"If everybody's smart - and I think they are all very smart people, they've had such a wonderful relationship together, Hamilton, Mercedes-Benz, Toto and the team - I think they'll see it as a farewell tour.
“That's how I think they should and will treat it. And then wishing farewell and hope that he loses in a Ferrari."
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