After three years as Mercedes teammates, the number one lesson George Russell believes he’s learned from seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton goes far beyond racing.
Having idolised Hamilton in his childhood, Russell lived his dream by sharing a garage with him and now shares his values about the power of influence and the responsibility it comes with.
“Just seeing firsthand what a role model he is. I think, I sort of recognised from Lewis that we’ve all got this platform and we’ve got to use it correctly,” Russell said, speaking after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
In an era where drivers are as much public figures as they are athletes, Russell has become increasingly aware of the impact they have on younger generations.
“That’s become even more apparent to me when, with my young niece and nephews watching TikTok and YouTube and Netflix. I spend a bit of time with Toto’s son, who also, he and his friends see Netflix and all of this stuff,” Russell explained.
This realisation has reshaped the way Russell approaches both his triumphs and setbacks, understanding that every move is observed by millions, including impressionable young fans.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sport360 F1 (@sport360f1)
“How you deal with the victories, how you deal with the losses, you inspire the young kids. And I think also this weekend, when I look back to that photo I had of Lewis and I when I was a kid, I looked up to him the same way as all these kids look up to us.”
For Russell, Hamilton’s composure and mindful expression, even in moments of adversity, serve as a blueprint for navigating the pressures of the sport with grace.
“I think that’s probably been the biggest life lesson that I’ve learned from him, that sometimes, even if you want to really express something, there’s hundreds of millions of people watching, and the way you do it is important,” he reflected.
