With the opening race weekend wrapped up on March 8, George Russell and Mercedes kicked off the 2026 Formula 1 season in style with a victory at the Australian Grand Prix. The confident performance quickly placed Russell among the early favourites for this year’s championship. Long regarded as one of the most talented drivers of his generation, the British racer has steadily built a reputation for speed, consistency and leadership both on and off the track. Here are five things to know about the Mercedes driver leading the charge this season
He grew up racing alongside today’s Formula 1 stars
Like many Formula 1 drivers, George Russell’s journey into the sport began early. He started karting at just seven years old and soon became part of a generation of young racers who would later shape the modern F1 grid. Among those he competed against were Charles Leclerc, Alexander Albon and Lando Norris, all now established Formula 1 drivers. The four spent their teenage years racing across Europe’s junior circuits, building both fierce rivalries and lasting friendships that have carried into their careers. Even today, Russell occasionally returns to karting with fellow drivers for fun during breaks in the season.
He’s known as “Mr. Saturday”
In his early years on the Formula 1 grid, George Russell quickly built a reputation as a qualifying specialist during his time at Williams, earning the nickname “Mr. Saturday.” Between 2019 and 2021, he regularly pushed the struggling car beyond expectations, often reaching Q2 and occasionally even Q3. Standout moments included qualifying second at the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix and third in Russia later that season. Even when the Williams lacked race pace on Sundays, Russell’s ability to extract maximum performance over a single lap became one of his defining traits – a reputation that has followed him into his years at Mercedes.
The 2025 season earned him the title “Mr. Consistency”
If Russell first made headlines for his qualifying speed, the 2025 season revealed another side of his driving: consistency. Throughout the year, the Mercedes driver delivered remarkably steady performances, qualifying in the top six for 23 of the 24 Grands Prix. He was also the only driver on the grid to finish every race, completing 99.9 percent of the season’s laps – an impressive feat across a long championship calendar. Combined with two race wins and multiple podium finishes, the campaign earned him an informal title among fans and commentators: “Mr. Consistency.”
He once filmed a Mercedes commercial with Brad Pitt
Following the surge of interest in Formula 1 after the release of F1: The Movie, Russell’s role at Mercedes has also taken him beyond the racetrack. In November 2025, he appeared alongside the film’s star, Brad Pitt, in a promotional campaign for the upcoming Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe. Filmed in Las Vegas, the commercial opens with Pitt arriving at a valet stand, only to discover the valet driver is Russell himself. Behind the wheel of a camouflaged prototype, the Formula 1 driver takes the car for a high-energy spin, offering fans an early glimpse of the performance model ahead of its official debut.
He serves as a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association
Away from racing, Russell also represents his fellow drivers within the sport. In 2021, he was appointed a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), the body that represents the collective interests of Formula 1 drivers. The organization focuses on issues such as safety standards, circuit conditions and communication with the sport’s governing bodies. Selected by his peers, Russell helps represent the drivers’ voice in discussions with Formula 1 management and the FIA, giving him influence beyond his role on the track.
Also see: 5 things to know about Arvid Lindblad, Formula 1’s newest rookie
