Appointment in Melbourne
With just a few weeks to go before the start of the 2026 season, it is even more difficult than in previous years to point to the driver or team that will be able to get the better of their opponents, especially in a championship that marks the beginning of a new era for Formula 1. General attention remains focused on the top teams, from reigning world champions McLaren to Ferrari, including the Ford-powered Red Bull and, of course, Mercedes.
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The next champion?
Regarding this team, several former drivers have nonetheless pointed to George Russell as the potential winner of the 2026 title, and they have been joined by current television commentator Martin Brundle. According to the 66-year-old, his compatriot will be able to seriously exploit the opportunity to make up for the last few seasons that did not allow him to fully showcase his talent: “Russell must sense that here there is the possibility of winning a world championship – Brundle explained to Sky Sports – George’s experience will show. If I had to make a prediction, I would bet on him for the whole season, but both he and Antonelli will be incredibly strong.”
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Mercedes and Antonelli
For Brundle, therefore, 2026 could be the ideal moment for Russell, in a team that features a line-up consisting of the Briton and Antonelli: “Kimi has received a lot of support from the team: from Toto and everyone. He is the designated heir, that’s quite obvious. He doesn’t have to always look over his shoulder. He can just have Bono (Peter Bonnington, his race engineer, ed.) keep an eye on him, which is great for him. What a fantastic pair they have! George spent a lot of time at Williams, then moved to Mercedes just when they stopped winning practically everything. He gave his all, and maybe this is his moment.”
