George Russell is “ready” to fight for a first F1 world championship in 2026, says Sky Sports F1’s Martin Brundle.
With the season-opening Australian Grand Prix approaching, live on Sky Sports, Russell remains among the bookmakers’ favourites for the Drivers’ Championship after Mercedes showed a strong pre-season with their new W17 car. Brundle says testing has produced “not a clear favourite” for the title, but believes Russell will be in contention if the car lives up to expectations.
“I do think he’s ready for it,” Brundle said of the 28-year-old, who is entering his eighth F1 season. “He’s a smart guy; they’re all smart guys. George has got the team around him. Kimi [Antonelli] will be stronger this year in the other car, but George is completely out of Lewis [Hamilton]’s shadow there, he’s the king of the castle at Mercedes-Benz.
“He did all those years at Williams and then he went to Mercedes when they just stopped dominating, so he’s done the hard yards. I think he’s got the experience, he’s got the car control, and I think he will command the respect in the team to help drive what’s going to be an incredibly changeable year.”
Brundle added on Sky Sports News: “I think his team-mate Kimi Antonelli will have a great season as well, but George has got all the confidence he needs to win races and to go and win a championship, if it’s available to him.
“We questioned that with Lando [Norris] last year, and Oscar [Piastri] too, whether they would wilt under pressure from Max [Verstappen], and they didn’t. I think George is in a very good place.”
On how Russell would cope with intra-team competition from 19-year-old Antonelli in his second F1 season, Brundle noted Russell’s past with Hamilton: “Remember, [Russell] grew up in Lewis Hamilton’s shadow at Mercedes, and he handled that, and eventually in the final year they were team-mates, he beat Lewis clearly. So, I have no doubts about him whatsoever. They’re all world-class drivers in F1, you’ve got to beat them somehow. I think George has got so much experience now despite not being 30 yet, that I don’t think anything will distract him if he’s got a championship-winning car.”
Brundle expects an open title fight among a “big four” of teams based on the three winter tests. “I see Ferrari being strong, I see both Ferrari drivers being strong,” he said. “I think both McLaren drivers will be strong as well. Oscar will come back on a mission after what he learned last year; Lando, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him yet not with that big grin on his face so far this year, he’s just got that comfort now. The Red Bull looks really strong, and we know how Max’s car control, which you’ll need with these cars, will be incredible. So, for me, there’s not a clear favourite.”
Watch every race of the 2026 Formula 1 season live on Sky Sports, starting with the Australian Grand Prix from March 6-8.