Mercedes driver George Russell has revealed that memories of childhood karting often ended “in tears” because of the financial strain on his family.
In a candid interview the Briton said his father worked “from seven in the morning to nine at night” just to fund weekend racing.
“My father was working every day … to take me racing at the weekend,” he recalled.
Pressure to Win—or Else
Russell admitted that mistakes on track could spark anger at home.
“Then we go racing and he is quite stressed … if I was making silly mistakes, he’d be dead angry with me,” he added.
The expectation, he said, was victory every time.
“Even times when I did win, it wasn’t sunshine and glory on the way home. It was, ‘but you could have done this better.’”
Shaping a Champion’s Mindset
Russell conceded that relentless critique forged his perfectionist mentality.
“He has moulded me into the guy I am today … I continue the mentality of looking at where I could have done better, while ensuring I see the positives.”
Paying the Sacrifice Forward
Now a Grand Prix winner with Mercedes, Russell intends to reimburse his parents for everything they spent on his ascent.
The 27-year-old sits fourth in the standings after four podiums from six races and is tipped for a contract extension beyond 2025.
Alongside rookie team-mate Kimi Antonelli, he forms the core of Mercedes’ bid to reel in runaway leaders McLaren.
A Motivating Reality Check
Russell said watching his brother’s children start karting has deepened his appreciation of the sacrifices many families make in grassroots motorsport.
“I will forever be grateful for what my dad did,” he reflected, vowing to keep balancing ambition with gratitude.