Verstappen prompted Mercedes to leave Russell 'quite bruised'

16:28, 10 Sep

byNorberto Mujica

Martin Brundle is of the opinion that Mercedes has offended George Russell with the team's interest in Max Verstappen being so open.

When Verstappen was yet to confirm he'd be driving for Red Bull Racing in 2026, rumours swirled about a potential switch from the Milton Keynes-based outfit to Brackley.

With Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli yet to renew their committments for next season, it was often suggested it would be the British driver who'd made way for the Dutchman, since the Italian was viewed as the future for the German team.

This, on the back of the plethora of TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) tests Antonelli ran for Mercedes prior to his F1 debut, and the heavy investments it posed.

It was in this context that Russell continued to affirm his position as one of the best drivers in the field, always maximising the potential in his Mercedes drive, securing a myriad of podiums and one race win in Canada, which to date still marks the team's best result this season.

Russell talking to the press.

Russell 'feels quite bruised' by Verstappen rumours

Now Russell seems to hold all the cards in the negotiations, as the team can't risk losing their most experienced, and in recent races, only effective driver in their line-up, with Antonelli being described by Mercedes team principal and CEO Toto Wolff, as underwhelming following the Italian Grand Prix.

Speaking during the Italian Grand Prix's Sky Sports F1 broadcast, Brundle took a firm line regarding Russell's feeling at Mercedes.

“I’d take him," Brundle said. "I would have signed George a long time ago, because George is not happy, is he?”

“It’s very easy to see that George feels quite bruised about all the Max talk and what have you through the summer.

“But when you look at the calm at McLaren and other teams, I just think they’ve (Mercedes, ed.) injected too many of their own problems into the driver line-up. I’d keep him," Brundle concluded.