Lewis Hamilton’s deliberate departure to Ferrari on the finish of the 2024 F1 season will open the door for George Russell to take over because the senior racer at Mercedes
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Lewis Hamilton on brink of blockbuster transfer to Ferrari for 2025
Martin Brundle believes George Russell might thrive in being “prime man” at Mercedes after Lewis Hamilton leaves.
The 2024 season is ready to be the seven-time world champion’s final with the Silver Arrows. After 11 years, Hamilton will depart the group to affix Ferrari forward of the 2025 marketing campaign in a transfer that has rocked the System 1 world.
It is going to deliver to an finish a golden period for each events. Although they have not loved a lot success within the final two years, Mercedes gained eight constructors’ titles with Hamilton main their cost on observe, whereas six of the Briton’s seven drivers’ championship successes got here whereas driving for the Silver Arrows.
And it’ll additionally finish a superb British driver partnership on the group. By the tip of this yr, Russell can have had three full seasons racing alongside Hamilton and studying from the 39-year-old.
Greater than that, Brundle believes Russell has held his personal towards his far more skilled team-mate. Hamilton out-scored him by 65 factors final yr however, of their first season collectively, it was the youthful Brit who scored the lion’s share of Mercedes factors.
And now that Hamilton is on his method out, the Sky Sports activities pundit is bound Russell shall be licking his lips on the prospect of taking his place as group chief. “He’ll be considering, ‘That is good – I’m the highest man right here unquestionably now’,” stated Brundle.
“George is able to decide up the mantle at Mercedes-Benz, there is no doubt about that in any respect. And he is measured himself towards statistically and arguably the best System 1 driver of all time – that is a debate we are able to have all afternoon, again to Fangio and Moss.
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“However George has measured himself towards Lewis and been extremely sturdy, very equal. If Mercedes have gotten a championship-winning automotive this yr, who would win? Would it not be George or Lewis? I feel it will be actually shut. That is the extent that George is at now.”
Brundle additionally spoke about how a lot he’s “trying ahead” to seeing Hamilton race in Ferrari colors alongside Charles Leclerc. And colleague David Croft gave a equally enthusiastic response to the information on social media.
Sky’s lead commentator wrote: “Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari! At all times thought it will occur sooner or later, lastly it can and it appears as early as 2025. Seismic transfer simply because it was when Lewis joined Mercedes and like then I don’t see the negatives. However wow, undoubtedly the most important switch on switch Deadline Day!”
