The Mercedes team celebrating Russell's victory - Photo : Race Pictures

F1 mechanic goes viral after watching football derby mid-race

12:55, 07 Oct

Updated: 14:17, 07 Oct

byKada Sarkozi

Football and F1 are never far apart, as a Mercedes engineer was filmed watching a game while George Russell won his second race of the season.

As the Formula 1 Grand Prix was taking place in Singapore, an English second division game was also taking place on the other side of the world.

In the EFL Championship, Ipswich Town defeated Norwich City 3-1 in the East Anglian derby.

A Mercedes crew member could also not resist tuning in for the game in the Singapore pit lane. A fan above the German team's pit box caught the mechanic pulling out their phone to follow the action.

It’s unclear whether the mechanic got to celebrate two victories that day.

@ekst072 Working for Mercedes but living for football. #petronas #f1 #singapore #mercedes ♬ originalljud - ekst072

Russell wins as Toto Wolff rates his driver 'stepping up'

After a victory in Canada, the British driver once again stood on top of the podium in 2025 at the Marina Bay Street Circuit

Mercedes CEO and team principal Wolff, commented after the race: “I think we’ve seen George in the past, these moments, but not recently. That’s a step-up that he has made also this year — that these things don’t happen again.

"He was in control of the race today, eking out an advantage, managing it when Max was a bit closer. And there was not at any moment a doubt that there was any risk in his driving.”

George Russell on the Singapore podium - Photo: Race Pictures

McLaren won the constructors' championship in Singapore, but the battle for second place remains open.

Mercedes are currently second with 325 points, as Kimi Antonelli also added 12 to the tally by finishing fourth. They lead Ferrari by 27 points and Red Bull Racing by 35 in the standings.

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