Martin Brundle believes Mercedes will block Lewis Hamilton from taking anyone from his "own gang" in his Silver Arrows garage when he departs for Ferrari.
The F1 offseason had been a quiet affair with no driver departures heading into a new season for the first time ever.
But Hamilton sent shockwaves throughout the sport when it was announced he would be leaving Mercedes at the end of the season to join Ferrari.
Brundle is a big fan of the move and feels it will ultimately work out for all parties involved.
"I see everybody's got an opportunity here," Brundle said on Sky Sports F1's YouTube channel.
Martin Brundle has warned Lewis Hamilton about taking his own team
GETTY/SKYSPORTS
"George Russsell has got the shiny confidence, the talent, the speed and the experience to pick up the mantle and be the No 1 driver at Mercedes.
"I think it will energise Mercedes with losing Lewis and it's an opportunity for them. Act in haste, repent at leisure. They can wait and see how [Andrea] Kimi Antonelli goes, they've got Esteban Ocon I suspect, they've got access to Carlos Sainz, maybe Fernando Alonso and have got Mick Schumacher in their gang.
"I think they'll see how this season goes. Why do they need to jump now?
"I think it will energise Ferrari and Charles Leclerc as well so I don't see any downside to it.
"I don't buy any of this 'it's going to be emotional' - Lewis is a winning machine and that's what he wants to do.
"It's a good contract he's got, he'll be paid a lot of money and he'll get a lot of love and it will be one of the biggest global sports story of 2025."
With Hamilton departing for Ferrari, questions will also be asked on whether anyone else from Mercedes will follow the seven-time world champion.
However, Brundle doesn't think Hamilton will have it his own way in taking whoever he wants.
"He certainly won't speak the language and know the team like Charles Leclerc does," Brundle added.
Lewis Hamilton will leave Mercedes at the end of the year
GETTY
"You've got to go and find out where all the buttons are to press.
"That's why I think Lewis will want to try to take a few people with him.
"But there will be non-compete clauses where he can't really do that.
"You really want to take some of your own gang when you go so that you can hit the ground running.
LATEST SPORT NEWS:
Toto Wolff will have a year to find Lewis Hamilton's replacement
GETTY
"I think he'll have such respect there that if Lewis says 'I want the back wheels put on the front' they'll go straightaway."
But Brundle has no doubt that Hamilton's loyalty won't sway for the 2024 season before he joins Ferrari.
"I have no doubt he will give it everything he's got until the last lap of the last race in Abu Dhabi for Mercedes Benz," he added.
"If everybody's smart, I think they will see it as a farewell tour and wish him farewell and hope that he loses in a Ferrari."
