Martin Brundle is adamant Kimi Antonelli will keep George Russell ‘on his toes’ after Australian GP

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George Russell’s win at the 2026 season-opening Australian Grand Prix never looked in doubt, but Martin Brundle is certain that Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli will keep the British driver ‘on his toes’ as the season ensues.

Ahead of the start of F1’s new era of regulations in Melbourne, George Russell had been tipped as a title favourite by the majority of paddock insiders.

Mercedes had looked to have developed the strongest package on the grid in pre-season, which was confirmed at the Australian Grand Prix as Russell took a convincing victory to lead Mercedes’ first one-two since the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix.

The Silver Arrows faced staunch competition from Ferrari in the opening stages of the race, but quick-thinking from the Mercedes pit wall saw both Russell and Kimi Antonelli benefit from a virtual safety car to gain a cheap pitstop over their Italian rivals.

It was a superb start to the season for the Brackley-based outfit, who couldn’t ask for more from their star-studded driver line-up following a successful one-two in both qualifying and the Grand Prix.

• READ MORE: George Russell tells the FIA to improve ‘sketchy’ aspect of new rules after Australian GP victory

Mercedes claim a one-two finish to start F1’s new era! Which driver stands out from the top 10 of the Australian Grand Prix?

Let us know in the comments below!

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Martin Brundle issues verdict on Mercedes line-up following one-two at the Australian Grand Prix

During Sky Sports F1’s live coverage of the Australian Grand Prix, Martin Brundle heaped praise on Antonelli as he took the chequered flag just three seconds behind Russell in P1.

While he never managed to threaten Russell’s lead at the front of the pack, the young Italian stayed within striking distance of his counterpart for the majority of the race, waiting to capitalise on any sort of mistake ahead of him.

Talking to co-commentator David Croft, the 66-year-old said, “I’ll tell you something else that I’m seeing and feeling strongly, is that Kimi Antonelli is going to keep George Russell on his toes.

“When you consider the big smash he had yesterday, how he recovered, and a poor start today, yet he’s right there.”

Brundle was alluding to Antonelli’s crash during FP2 on Saturday, which threw his involvement in qualifying into doubt.

Mercedes engineers worked tirelessly to get the W17 back into a drivable condition, and they were rewarded through Antonelli’s clinching of a front-row lockout alongside pole-sitter Russell.

• READ MORE: ‘World-class’ Kimi Antonelli reminded Martin Brundle of Michael Schumacher at Australian Grand Prix

Here’s your top three from the Australian Grand Prix! Were you surprised by the podium finishers?

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Mercedes lead the constructors’ standings after round one of the 2026 F1 season

The perfect result for Toto Wolff and co saw Mercedes take a lead in both championships for the first time since the start of the 2021 campaign.

In turn, it also marks the first time that George Russell has ever led the drivers’ championship.

Much of the talk of the winter break had the Silver Arrows replicating their highly dominant era that occurred at the start of the 2014 regulations, and so far, so good.

Next up is the Chinese Grand Prix, which will continue to stretch the limit of the new engine formula. Mercedes could further bolster their claim at the top of the F1 pecking order with another strong result in Shanghai.