The Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix marked a significant milestone for George Russell, who reached 100 Grands Prix with Mercedes. His journey with the team began unexpectedly in 2020 as a one-off replacement for Lewis Hamilton, and has since evolved into a central role in the team's pursuit of the championship under the 2026 technical era.

A Baptism of Fire at Sakhir 2020

Russell's introduction to the team was a "baptism of fire" at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix. Despite struggling to fit into a cockpit designed for shorter drivers—which required him to wear shoes two sizes too small—Russell nearly secured pole position and led much of the race before punctures and pit stop errors intervened.

"My big flipper feet would usually be taking up more space... A lot of pain, but it was very, very memorable," Russell recalled.

Triumphs and Heartbreak

Since joining permanently in 2022, Russell has experienced the full spectrum of Formula 1 emotions. From the horror of seeing Zhou Guanyu's massive crash at Silverstone 2022 to the euphoria of his maiden victory in Sao Paulo later that year, the Briton has solidified his place at the front of the grid.

He also detailed the redemption arc at the Singapore Grand Prix, where a heartbreaking final-lap crash in 2023 was eventually avenged by a dominant pole and victory in 2025. "It felt so amazing... I was really conscious of taking [the crash] out of my mind, and I was millimetres away from the wall," he explained.

Relationship with Toto Wolff

Looking back over 12 years of knowing team boss Toto Wolff, Russell highlighted the strength of their bond. From his early days in the junior program to the current 2026 season, Russell feels a deep pride in helping bring Mercedes back to the top, even while facing stiff competition from young teammate Kimi Antonelli.

As he looks toward the next 100 races, Russell remains focused on his ultimate ambition: becoming an F1 World Champion.