Brundle: George Russell 'Bruised' by Mercedes-Verstappen Talks Amid Contract Delay

Former F1 driver Martin Brundle asserts that George Russell has been left "bruised" by Mercedes' recent discussions with Max Verstappen, suggesting the team has "injected too many of their own problems" into its driver lineup. Brundle believes Russell is "not happy" with the current situation, especially concerning the delay in his contract extension.

Why it matters:

Mercedes, despite confirming their intention to retain Russell and Kimi Antonelli for next season, has yet to finalize contract extensions for both drivers. This delay, particularly for Russell, is seen by Brundle as a consequence of team principal Toto Wolff's public pursuit of Verstappen, potentially unsettling their current driver.

The Details:

• Though Verstappen is committed to Red Bull through 2026, the discussions between the four-time F1 champion and Mercedes have reportedly strained the Brackley-based team's relationship with Russell.
• Speaking on Sky Sports F1 ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, Brundle observed Russell's strong performance: "He's driving so beautifully... he just looks the real deal, he's confident."
• However, Brundle noted Russell's initial expectations: "He said 'I went to Mercedes expecting to win world championships straight away, relatively straightforwardly'. And of course, that's just not happening."

Rosberg's Perspective & Antonelli:

• 2016 F1 champion Nico Rosberg concurred, ranking Russell "top three, at the very least, in terms of driver this year," praising his "phenomenally consistent" performance.
• Rosberg highlighted how Russell's strong form complicates matters for junior driver Kimi Antonelli, who is "up against one of the very, very best out there."

Brundle's Verdict:

• When asked about Antonelli's future, Brundle pivoted back to Russell, stating, "I would have signed George a long time ago, because George is not happy, is he?"
• He further elaborated, "It's very easy to see that George feels quite bruised about all the Max talk... I just think they've injected too many of their own problems into the driver lineup. I'd keep him."