Hamilton departure will 'energise' Mercedes - Brundle

Martin Brundle has claimed that Lewis Hamilton's impending departure from Mercedes will "energise" the team as it seeks a replacement.

Hamilton stunned the F1 world on February 1st with the news that he will leave Mercedes at the end of the season, having activated a break clause in the contract he signed in August.

He is to join Ferrari to partner Charles Leclerc from 2025, meaning Mercedes must find a replacement with no shortage of contenders for the seat alongside George Russell.

Reflecting on the news, Brundle believes that the whole situation is a big win-win for all parties involved - and made a bold prediction about Mercedes.

Brundle's Hamilton verdict

"Everybody has got an opportunity here," Brundle told the Sky Sports F1 podcast.

"George Russell has got this shiny confidence, the talent, the speed and the experience to pick up the mantle and be the number one driver at Mercedes-Benz - I have no doubt about that at all.

"It will energise Mercedes, losing Lewis and it is an opportunity for them. Act in haste, repent at leisure, they can wait and see how Andrea Kimi Antonelli goes, they got Esteban Ocon I suspect, they've got access to Carlos Sainz and maybe Fernando Alonso.

"Mick Schumacher is also in the gang and any number of other drivers, so I think they'll see how this season goes, and why do they need to jump now?

"I also think it'll energise Ferrari and Charles Leclerc as well, and us talking about it, so I don't see any downsides.

"It is going to be emotional - Lewis is a winning machine and that is what he wants to do.

"It is a good contract and he'll be paid a lot of money and get a lot of live.

"It will be one of the biggest global sports stories in 2025, so I just see positives."