Young Russell in disbelief: 'Ross Brawn goes to the bathroom too'

For many fans, Formula One drivers are absolute heroes. It is easy to imagine that today's drivers once adored their heroes just as many fans do today. For George Russell, it's no different.

Looking up

Many people know of the photo in which a young Russell asks his idol Lewis Hamilton for an autograph. In a podcast from Mercedes sponsor IWC Schaffhausen Russell now says he finds it a surreal moment, as both are now teammates at Mercedes. In fact, back in 2009, as an eleven-year-old, he looked up to Hamilton immensely.

Russell's thoughts go back to that same year, when he attended an awards show. Ross Brawn, then owner of the successful Brawn F1 team, was also there. By chance, Russell and Brawn met in the restroom. " I couldn't believe that Ross Brawn had to go to the bathroom," Russell says. "I didn't think superheroes did something like that."