Brundle waxes lyrical over 'best driver' Verstappen but admits Russell will be 'aggrieved'

09:01, 14 Jul

Updated: 10:17, 14 Jul

byHidde Korte

There’s growing speculation about Max Verstappen’s future with Red Bull Racing. Amid the swirling rumours, Martin Brundle shared his thoughts on Verstappen’s class during Sky Sports’ The F1 Show

The reigning world champion is enduring a tough season with Red Bull Racing. With McLaren dominating across most tracks, Verstappen has often voiced frustrations over a lack of grip. At the halfway point of 2025, the four-time world champion has picked up two race victories this season and has 165 points.

Still, Martin Brundle acknowledges how Verstappen continues to extract maximum performance from his car.

"I think nobody would argue that he's the best driver, anything other than he's the best driver on the grid. He's worth a tenth or two. And that's very hard to find in Formula One. We often see the first two rows of the grid covered by a tenth."

Brundle sees 'bruised' Horner and 'aggrieved' Russell

Following Horner’s dismissal, speculation about the team’s future intensified. The former F1 driver also believes that Horner may be feeling pretty 'bruised' due to his dismissal.

"Two weeks is a long time in politics, they say. Well, it's certainly a very long time in Formula One. So we'll see how this plays out. But if I were Christian Horner, I'd be feeling pretty bruised because obviously he's done a superb job for Red Bull and the Verstappen's in everything he's achieved there. "

Brundle also believed that George Russell is another person who would also feel slightly annoyed at the moment.

‘’And same with George, if I were George Russell, I'd be feeling slightly aggrieved that I'm second or third, appeared to be second or third favourite for the role. But it's difficult to know, you know, drivers come and go, people come and go, and a team has a certain momentum as an awful lot of people, you know, and I think that will continue."

Max Verstappen’s future at Red Bull remains uncertain. Since Horner’s departure, speculation has been mounting.

Brundle himself admitted that he was saddened to see the team principal depart after 20 years in charge of the Milton Keynes-based team.