Jenson Button and Martin Brundle agree on George Russell’s 2026 title chances after new Mercedes contract

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Jenson Button and Martin Brundle have shared similar views on George Russell’s chances of securing a maiden world championship in Formula 1 after finally putting pen to paper on a new deal at Mercedes.

Russell’s new contract with Mercedes will see him enter his eighth season in F1 when the new era of regulations takes effect next year, and it’s hard to believe that we still haven’t seen the 27-year-old compete for a world title yet.

In fact, the new ruleset could be his best chance of securing a maiden championship.

Russell is certain that he will win a title eventually, but due to the hyper-competitive nature of the sport, there’s never a guarantee that talent alone will be enough to etch their name on the elusive drivers’ championship trophy.

Mercedes have been tipped to have the most competitive engine during the current development race.

However, team boss Toto Wolff has wholeheartedly rejected the rumours, but that is to be expected to some degree.

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Jenson Button thinks George Russell will be the F1 driver to take the fight to McLaren in 2026

Speaking on Sky Sports F1’s coverage of the United States Grand Prix, Button shared his thoughts on whether the 2026 season will finally be Russell’s chance at showing what he can do in a title fight in the pinnacle class of single-seater racing.

In a discussion over the previous rumours of Max Verstappen signing for Mercedes and creating an unbeatable line-up of the Dutchman and his nemesis Russell, Button highlighted how “amazing” it would be to see both drivers “going at it” in the same calibre of machinery.

The 2009 F1 champion then added (18:14 17/10), “I think just talking about George, he is a driver at his absolute prime.

“He is ready to fight for a world championship. Kimi, on the other hand, I feel that he needs a bit more time. So if they’re put in a car that can fight for the world championship, they kind of need George in the team.

“For him, on the contractual talks, it was a positive, but then also Toto can go, well, I’m gonna give you a car that can fight for the world championship, it’s always a difficult discussion when it comes to the contract.

“The good thing is, it’s behind them now, and they can focus on building a good 2026 car. And yeah, I think he will be fighting for the world championship, it’s going to be them and it’s going to be McLaren.”

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Martin Brundle believes the 2026 F1 season will be ‘the ticket’ to George Russell’s title dreams

Brundle was also asked about Russell’s chances during the upcoming F1 season on Sky’s coverage of the race weekend by Simon Lazenby.

Lazenby highlighted the position that the Brit is in for the next term, given the ‘whispers’ about Mercedes’ engine in the paddock.

Passing the floor to Brundle, the 66-year-old replied (18:12 17/10), “Yeah, in 2026, Mercedes could be just the ticket, there’s no doubt about that.

“And other cars with that power unit, like McLaren, for example, and Alpine, going that way too. It’s a tricky one for George.

“He’s had this sort of magic carpet of Mercedes bringing him through junior racing and getting him into a race-winning Formula 1 car.

“And they’re saying, well, don’t forget that, we manage you. We kind of own you to an extent.

“George is obviously ready to break out and become the great champion that he will be now. In the end, it’s going to meet in the middle with those two different dynamics controlling his destiny.”