George Russell Reflects on His Mercedes Journey as He Hits 100 Races

Last weekend's Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix marked a significant milestone for George Russell and Mercedes, as Russell reached his 100th race with the team. This journey began rather unexpectedly in 2020 when he filled in for Lewis Hamilton, sidelined by Covid-19. Reflecting on his path, Russell shared some of his most memorable moments with F1.com, including the highs and lows that have defined his career so far.

Sakhir 2020 – A Surprise Start In 2020, Russell's debut with Mercedes came unexpectedly when he replaced Lewis Hamilton for a race. Despite the challenges of squeezing his tall frame into a car designed for the smaller Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, Russell shone. He led most of the race, showing his potential despite a pit stop mishap and a puncture that thwarted his victory hopes. "That car was built around Lewis and Valtteri," Russell recalled with a smile, "I had to wear shoes two sizes smaller to fit in."

Britain 2022 – A Scary Collision Fast forward to 2022, and Russell had settled into his new role at Mercedes. At his first British Grand Prix for the team, he found himself in a dramatic first-lap collision with Zhou Guanyu. The crash was a stark reminder of the dangers of the sport. "It was probably the most horrifying incident I’d ever seen from the cockpit," Russell said, recalling the moment he decided to stop and help.

Sao Paulo 2022 – First Grand Prix Win Later in 2022, Russell achieved a major career milestone with his first win at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. After securing pole position in Hungary earlier that year, the victory in Brazil was a dream come true. "I probably didn’t realise how much it would mean to me," Russell admitted, after seeing how much it meant to his team.

Britain 2024 – Pole Position at Home The 2024 season brought more highlights, including a pole position at Silverstone. It was a proud moment for British fans as Russell, Hamilton, and Norris locked out the top three spots. "It was very special to be on pole at my home race," Russell said, reflecting on the achievement.

Singapore 2023/25 – Redemption Singapore in 2023 was a low point for Russell, with a last-lap crash costing him a podium. But in 2025, he returned to Singapore for redemption, taking pole and the victory. "It was incredible," Russell said of his 2025 win, noting the satisfaction of overcoming past mistakes.

A Strong Relationship with Toto Wolff Throughout his time at Mercedes, Russell has developed a strong bond with team boss Toto Wolff. "We’ve become so close," Russell shared, highlighting the support and guidance he has received. Despite recent challenges, Russell remains optimistic about the future with Mercedes.

Looking Forward As Russell looks ahead to the next 100 races, he is eager to continue building on his achievements. "It’s been such a journey," he said, recalling moments from his career that have shaped him. With his sights set on a world championship, Russell is ready to create more memorable moments with Mercedes.