George Russell on his father's tough approach during his early days: 'I always felt I wasn't good enough for him'
Formula 1 fans know how tough reigning champion Max Verstappen's father was in pushing him to the top. Now, George Russell has opened up about his own father's strict approach, which often left him feeling he was never good enough.
The Mercedes driver revealed it took him five years to realise he was actually faster than he thought — a deliberate tactic by his father to keep him humble.
George
Russell
on his father's training tactics
George Russell is currently in fourth position in the Formula 1 Driver Standings with one win and five more podiums. Opening up about his growing-up years with F1 as his aim, Russell told Motorsport in an interview, "I always felt that I wasn't good enough for my father.
When I used to do go-karting, at the time, there was no real data analysis. We didn't even have lap times on practice days. It was literally my father with a stopwatch.
And I learned after about five years that he would always time me late, so my lap times looked slower than reality. He would tell me the lap times of the other drivers on practice days, and I always thought I was slow.'
'Then I got to the races and I was qualifying on pole and winning races, and I was so confused as a kid.
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I'd think, 'I'm always slow on these practice days, but then I get to the races and I win. Why is that?' I realised over time that he would always do that just so I didn't get too full of myself or overly confident, and that was such an amazing, important lesson for me," he added.
Russell also revealed how he would see his dad only during weekends due to his work shifts and would be upset about why he was always screaming and shouting at him during his racing practice.
'As a young kid, I was thinking, 'I don't see my father, and when I do see him, he's upset with me and I feel like I'm letting him down.' That was really tough,' he said.
Confirming that he eventually realised his father's mindset and hard work behind his racing career, he said, "I can only imagine the pressure and stress he must have been under himself. Ultimately, those years from the age of seven to 13 shaped me as a person, and I have him to thank for that."
George Russell enjoying his summer break
George Russell is currently holidaying with girlfriend Carmen Montero Mundt on his luxury yacht in Sardinia. They have been posting mesmerising pictures from their vacation on Instagram, including Russell's much-talked-about shirtless pictures.
Also Read:
George Russell is missing racing but enjoying holidays with girlfriend Carmen Montero Mundt as fans ask, 'Why is everyone in Sardinia?'
He will return for the second half of the current F1 season, which resumes with the Dutch Grand Prix in the Netherlands from August 29 to 31.
Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
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