George Russell | Mercedes F1 Driver & Racing Journey

George Russell: Mercedes F1 Driver and Racing Journey

George Russell is a British Formula 1 driver competing for Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS. Born on 15 February 1998 in King's Lynn, England, Russell has progressed from karting and junior single-seater racing to becoming an established Mercedes F1 driver.

Russell joined the Mercedes Junior Programme in 2017 and won the GP3 championship in 2017 before claiming the Formula 2 title in 2018. He made his Formula 1 debut with Williams in 2019 and later moved into a full-time Mercedes race seat.

George Russell and Mercedes F1

Russell's Mercedes journey began before his full-time promotion. In 2020, he made a one-off Mercedes appearance at the Sakhir Grand Prix when Lewis Hamilton was unavailable. Russell qualified on the front row and finished ninth after a pit-stop problem and a late puncture affected his race.

He became a full-time Mercedes driver in 2022, joining Lewis Hamilton.

Russell secured his first Formula 1 Grand Prix victory at the 2022 São Paulo Grand Prix, which was also Mercedes' only race victory of that season.

Mercedes subsequently confirmed Russell and Kimi Antonelli as its driver line-up for the 2026 season.

George Russell's 2026 F1 Season

The 2026 season introduced a major new technical era in Formula 1, and Russell continued with Mercedes.

According to the current official F1 statistics, Russell has:

  • 211 championship points
  • 2 Grand Prix victories
  • 7 podiums
  • 4 pole positions
  • 11 top-10 finishes
  • 3 Sprint victories
  • 3 Sprint podiums
  • 12 career pole positions
  • 31 career podiums

He is currently listed 2nd in the 2026 Drivers' Championship.

His 2026 Grand Prix victories so far came in Australia and Austria. Official F1 results also show podium finishes in China, Spain, Great Britain, the Netherlands and Italy.

2026 statistics are time-sensitive and may change after each Grand Prix.

From Karting to Formula 1

George Russell's motorsport career began in karting before progressing through junior single-seater categories.

His development included:

2017 — GP3 Champion
Russell won the GP3 championship while also becoming part of the Mercedes Junior Programme.

2018 — Formula 2 Champion
He won the Formula 2 title before moving to Formula 1.

2019 — Formula 1 Debut
Russell joined Williams for his first full F1 season.

2020 — Mercedes F1 Appearance
He temporarily replaced Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes for the Sakhir Grand Prix.

2021 — First F1 Podium
Russell scored his first Formula 1 podium with Williams at the Belgian Grand Prix.

2022 — Mercedes Full-Time Driver
He joined Mercedes alongside Lewis Hamilton and achieved his first F1 victory in Brazil.

George Russell's Racing Number

George Russell competes with number 63 in Formula 1.

The number has become part of his racing identity and appears across his Mercedes racing equipment and fan merchandise.

George Russell and Mercedes in 2026

Mercedes continues with Russell and Kimi Antonelli as its two race drivers for 2026. The team confirmed the pairing before the season and described both drivers as graduates of its junior programme.

Russell entered 2026 with substantial Mercedes experience, while Antonelli continued his second season in Formula 1.

The Mercedes 2026 programme also introduced a new generation of Formula 1 technical regulations, making the season an important chapter for both the team and its drivers.

George Russell F1 Racing Style

Russell's career has included experience across different generations of Formula 1 cars and regulations.

His development as a racing driver has involved:

  • Karting
  • Junior single-seater racing
  • Qualifying performance
  • Race strategy
  • Tyre management
  • Technical feedback
  • Simulator work
  • Physical preparation
  • Adaptation to different regulations

His experience with Williams and Mercedes has also given him exposure to different competitive environments throughout his F1 career.

George Russell Racing Apparel

George Russell has become a recognizable figure among Mercedes and Formula 1 fans.

At Apex Karting Gear, motorsport fans can explore George Russell-inspired F1 apparel, including:

  • F1 racing suits
  • Racing jackets
  • Motorsport shirts
  • Hoodies
  • Karting apparel
  • Racing accessories

These products are intended for fanwear, collection and motorsport fashion. They should not be represented as official driver merchandise or FIA-certified protective racing equipment unless that status has been independently verified.

Why George Russell Is Popular With F1 Fans

Russell's motorsport journey includes several notable milestones:

  • Mercedes Junior Programme graduate
  • GP3 champion
  • Formula 2 champion
  • Williams F1 debut
  • Mercedes F1 promotion
  • First Grand Prix victory in 2022
  • Multiple Mercedes Grand Prix victories
  • 2026 Mercedes driver
  • Racing number 63

His journey from junior racing to Mercedes Formula 1 provides a strong example of the traditional motorsport development pathway.

George Russell at Apex Karting Gear

Explore Apex Karting Gear for F1 racing suits, Mercedes-inspired racing apparel, F1 jackets, racing shirts, karting suits, karting gloves and racing shoes.

For fans of George Russell and modern Formula 1, motorsport-inspired apparel can be used for race weekends, casual wear, collections and motorsport events.


Frequently Asked Questions

Who is George Russell?

George Russell is a British Formula 1 driver who competes for Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS.

What number does George Russell use?

George Russell races with number 63.

Which F1 team does George Russell drive for?

Russell drives for Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team.

When did George Russell make his F1 debut?

George Russell made his full-time Formula 1 debut with Williams in 2019.

When did George Russell join Mercedes?

Russell became a full-time Mercedes F1 driver in 2022, after previously making a one-off Mercedes appearance at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix.

How many F1 wins does George Russell have?

The current official F1 profile lists 7 career Grand Prix victories, including 2 in the 2026 season so far.