At the So Paulo Grand Prix, George Russell was overtaken with emotion after scoring his maiden Formula One victory. The British driver admitted he was overcome with emotion when he won at Interlagos, as he was thinking of everyone who had helped him reach F1 and achieve a victory in his fourth year in the sport and his first with Mercedes.
Russell triumphed after fending off a late challenge from teammate Lewis Hamilton to earn his first victory with a remarkable display of nerveless composure and maturity under intense pressure. However, upon receiving the flag, the 24-year-old could no longer control the emotion he had so masterfully suppressed.
“I was amazed at how quickly I began crying after crossing the line; by the time I turned two, the tears were pouring down my face,” he added. “All of my closest family members sprang to mind: my mother, my girlfriend, my sister and her husband, my brother, my father, and his two children. I am certain they were all observing.
“It has been an emotional rollercoaster for everyone. From go-karting to cross-country travel in a camper van with my parents to the support my brother and sister and girlfriend have provided me this season.”
Hamilton appreciated Russell’s accomplishment and lavishly praised his teammate, but was contemptuous of Max Verstappen’s attempt to pass him, which resulted in contact and a penalty for Verstappen. This season, Verstappen won the championship with few on-track incidents, and Hamilton implied that the Dutchman performs differently when he is forced to compete against the British driver.
“When you have success and numbers on your chest, it’s only natural that you become a bit of a target, but that’s fine, I’ve dealt with it before,” he remarked.
