Latest news with #GeorgeRussell
New York Times
8 hours ago
- Automotive
- New York Times
Want Max Verstappen, Toto? Then make a blockbuster George Russell partnership work for F1
Sitting in the sole shaded area on the roof of Mercedes' hospitality unit in Abu Dhabi, George Russell was agitated. Not sobbing or crying. Frustrated. Angry, even. The media roundtable, seemingly a routine recap of Russell's 2024 season, had taken a turn. The Max Verstappen topic had come up. 'People have been bullied by Max for years now,' Russell said. 'You can't question his driving abilities. But he cannot deal with adversity.' Advertisement Speaking a few days after a tense Qatar Grand Prix weekend, Russell claimed Verstappen had threatened to 'put me on my f***ing head in the wall' after receiving a one-place grid penalty, costing the Red Bull driver pole. Verstappen thought Russell had screwed him over by making a scene to the stewards. Russell felt he had to take a stand against Verstappen in Abu Dhabi the following week. Given how passionately Russell had spoken — and, more tellingly, his body language — this appeared to be a relationship fractured beyond repair. They already had a lengthy history of clashing, then Verstappen's collision with Russell in Spain this year only seemed to confirm this status. But how about a future Mercedes driver line-up comprising Russell and Verstappen? Implausible, right? Well, so much is in F1. Verstappen's future will be the story in F1 over the next six weeks, the height of the driver market 'silly season.' He is under contract at Red Bull through to 2028, but the Dutchman has dodged opportunities to confirm he will be racing there next season. Christian Horner's sudden departure eases the tension that lingered with Verstappen's father, Jos, but considering hopes of defending his championship faded months ago, and Red Bull has failed to improve its car, it would be understandable if Max was considering a move. Over at Mercedes, Russell is yet to receive a new contract despite putting in some of his best career performances, including a win in Canada last month. He is set to become a free agent in 2025 and, by his own account, the reason for the hold-up is the possibility of Mercedes signing Verstappen. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff was coy when he faced a media grilling two races ago about his interest in Verstappen, having maintained he wouldn't 'flirt' outside the team without his existing drivers knowing the score. He acknowledged that 'people talk' and 'explore,' and noted 'you can flirt, or you (can) have conversations.' The following day, when speaking to Sky Sports, Wolff said there is 'very little probability' Verstappen will race for Mercedes in 2026. Advertisement As long as there is some probability, though, it's worth exploring. Verstappen is the greatest driver of his generation. Some of his performances this year, especially at Suzuka and Imola, have been stunning. It would be folly not to know at least the lay of the land as Wolff looks to the future. If Verstappen and Mercedes pushed ahead with a deal, Wolff would then have some tough decisions to make. The working assumption is Russell would be the one to pay the price, not least because of their quarrel — but what if, sensationally, Wolff tried to make it work with Verstappen and Russell? It's difficult to understand why Russell hasn't already received an extension at Mercedes. He is performing better than ever and is deeply underrated as one of F1's top performers. Russell defeated Hamilton in two of their three seasons as teammates (and pretty comprehensively last year) and has made the most of a Mercedes car package that is a far cry from its dominant best of past seasons. As Russell noted when speaking to The Athletic in April, had his time come a few years earlier, he might already have a couple of championships. Russell is also the first success story of Mercedes' modern young driver program and has delivered consistently, with so much time, money and effort invested into his career by Mercedes. A lot of the spotlight has shifted to Mercedes' latest junior product, Kimi Antonelli. At 18 and only just possessing a road license, Antonelli faced a lot of pressure as Hamilton's replacement for 2025. It was a gamble by Wolff, but a show of faith in a talent he believes could become F1's next great. The next Verstappen, even. Antonelli has made a good start to his F1 career, becoming the third-youngest podium finisher in the sport's history in Canada, but that has been the only recent bright spot from a tricky run, which includes a big mistake when he took out Verstappen on the first lap in Austria. Advertisement The head-to-head stats fall overwhelmingly in Russell's favor, too. He has scored 147 points to Antonelli's 63, has nine top-five finishes to Antonelli's two, and five podiums to Antonelli's one. Their qualifying head-to-head reads 9-1 in Russell's favor, with an average gap of 0.345 seconds. Other rookies, such as Ollie Bearman at Haas and Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto, are already on a par with their more experienced teammates. Antonelli is not only a rookie, but an 18-year-old rookie in just his fourth full season of car racing, so leeway is needed. And Mercedes' faith in him remains strong. 'He's a great driver,' Wolff said after the race at Silverstone. 'There's a reason we took him.' A Verstappen/Antonelli line-up would be exceptionally exciting, no doubt, but the 'best' on-paper Mercedes line-up would surely be Verstappen and Russell. The real question is whether it could work in reality. Both Verstappen and Russell feel they can take on any teammate and win. The likelihood is that margins between them would be extremely fine, giving Wolff a possible headache to manage should Mercedes regain its status as F1's leading team. The current McLaren model of a friendly fight for the drivers' championship is rare, something Wolff discovered in his experience dealing with Hamilton and Nico Rosberg's explosive rivalry from 2014 to 2016. Wolff has always been reluctant to point the finger at Verstappen, be it after Qatar last year (he instead took aim at Horner, calling him a 'yapping little terrier') or in Spain this year, saying he couldn't fathom the Dutchman's move being deliberate. There's a clear respect for Verstappen and a private belief that with better management, incidents could have been avoided. But what about Antonelli? He has the label of F1's next big thing, but even that status means there would be no shortage of teams showing an interest in taking him on loan. He could keep his Mercedes ties, just as Russell did while at Williams, and hone his racecraft down the grid. Advertisement There have been many examples of such loans in F1 history and it would also clarify the Mercedes succession plan. This is all hypothetical. Wolff has been clear that the chances of a move for Verstappen are low, and the ramifications of Horner's exit from Red Bull will only be known in the coming weeks, starting soon at Spa. Mercedes also remains in a very strong place for the future if the existing lineup of Russell and Antonelli continues beyond this year, with the former getting a short-term extension still the most likely scenario. 'The likelihood I'm not at Mercedes next year is exceptionally low,' Russell said at Silverstone. But if everything adds up — Verstappen available for 2026 and Mercedes serious about a swoop — then Wolff should double down and go for a true blockbuster line-up. Whatever the consequences.
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
George Russell enjoys luxurious Italian getaway with girlfriend Carmen Montero Mundt on $2.9 million yacht
George Russell and girlfriend Carmen Montero Mundt enjoy on a yacht Like many other Formula 1 drivers, Mercedes driver George Russell made the most of the long break following his home race at the British Grand Prix. Choosing a more relaxed route off the track, Russell set sail in his new luxury yacht, the Pershing 6X, accompanied by his girlfriend, Carmen Montero Mundt. Pictures from their romantic vacation in Italy aboard the yacht clearly show that the couple had a wonderful time. George Russell and Carmen Montero Mundt's romantic vacation in Italy George Russell shared a series of stunning photos from their Italian escape at Lake Como on Instagram. He simply captioned them, 'Weekend at sea in Italia.' The post included several pictures of him wearing stylish white outfits and sunglasses, striking poses at different spots on the yacht. The photos not only featured Russell but also subtly showcased the sleek and luxurious design of his new yacht. A photo showed Carmen posing in a swimsuit on the deck. There was also a video offering an aerial view of the yacht cruising through the water. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ColorsTV (@colorstv) Russell's fans loved the candid moments and the new yacht. One fan commented, 'Is this the yacht Alex was talking about LMAO?' — referring to a previous remark by Williams driver and Russell's friend, Alex Albon. Another fan wrote, 'Italy looks so good on George,' while someone else added, 'Enjoy it together! Have a nice relax-time! And after... come back strong and keep pushing for those 18 points! Or more!' Mundt also shared a few pictures from their vacation on her Instagram, featuring more glimpses of the yacht and her posing in swimsuits. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas Prices In Dubai Might Be More Affordable Than You Think Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Quote Undo George Russell buys a $2.9 million yacht George Russell reportedly purchased the Pershing 6X yacht for around $2.9 million. The vessel measures approximately 19 meters in length and can reach speeds of up to 90 km/h. Recently, he also acquired another dream machine — a new Mercedes-AMG ONE, worth $2.7 million. Also Read: Inside Max Verstappen's yacht outing with Kelly Piquet, daughter Lily: Drinks, surfing — but no Toto Wolff George Russell has one F1 win this season George Russell has had a solid Formula 1 season so far. He currently sits in fourth place in the F1 Driver Standings with 147 points — just 18 points behind Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who holds third place. Russell secured a win at the Canadian Grand Prix this season and has earned four additional podiums so far. He will now head to Spa for the Belgian Grand Prix on July 27. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Hamilton Spectator
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Hamilton Spectator
Charlotte County meets Formula 1: one engineer's journey to the pinnacle of motorsport
It was a victory at the Montreal Grand Prix for Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula 1 team driver George Russell and a podium for rookie Kimi Antonelli, but it was also a win for Charlotte County's Grace Lloyd. She discovered machine learning – using data and artificial intelligence to improve computer performance – during her undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto and fell in love with it. It's a journey that would eventually lead her to the pinnacle of motorsport – Formula 1. Lloyd lives in Northampton, United Kingdom. At first, she said in an interview with The Courier, she dabbled with the solar race team – her first brush with motorsport. 'I really enjoyed it but as my time at school was coming to an end, I didn't really see a way I could continue in motorsport and keep doing data work,' she said. 'I vaguely knew of F1 and other motorsport series, but I had assumed that jobs in those teams were way more mechanically focused than I could ever hope to be.' Lloyd said during the COVID-19 pandemic, she discovered Netflix's Drive to Survive – a documentary-style show that follows the various teams and drivers across the world throughout the Formula 1 season. 'I wasn't with them at the time but when I came home during the summer of 2020, [my family was] watching the races on Sundays,' she said. 'Once I started watching [it] with them, I became hooked on the sport as a whole but I was really fascinated with the technical side and for the first time I thought 'maybe I can work in F1.' ' Lloyd went on to a masters degree in data science and machine learning at Cardiff University in the UK. 'I joined their formula student team to get more experience and eventually applied and got the job I have now at Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team,' she said. On the weekends, fans from across the world gather in the grandstands and teams prepare to fight to be the fastest on track, but work is always underway behind the seasons. Lloyd is one of the people who works diligently so Mercedes Petronas Formula 1 drivers George Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli can fight for wins against the top teams. 'A few times a season, I do get the opportunity to spend the weekend at the Brackley factory in the race support room helping monitor things,' she said. 'Ahead of those weekends you're still trying to do your regular job, but if the race is in a much different time zone you have to shift yourself onto the track time zone, which can be anywhere from just showing up a bit later to work to completely flipping your schedule for races like Melbourne.' Her work, which happens mainly during the weekdays, kicks into higher gear following the race weekends. 'My work mostly starts once the weekend ends, and we get new data from the car,' she said. 'I spend time looking at the data and understanding what happened over the weekend and how it might affect the data I use.' There is a constant pursuit of better performance, she explained. 'We engineers are constantly trying to innovate to bring better lap time to the car. There is always something new to try or learn,' she said. Lloyd said no one works in isolation and every day she is learning new things at every opportunity, with valuable insights coming from the people she works with. The sport is entering a new era of technical regulations – according to the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) there will be a reduction in the car size and weight, revised aerodynamics. The teams will remove the 'ground effect' on the cars, returning to a flat underside. Changes are also coming to the power units and the removal of the drag reduction system, to be replaced by active aerodynamics. Lloyd finds the technical regulations an interesting part of her job. 'We have such a big book of technical rules we have to follow, but this adds to the fun of the job,' she said. 'It's a lot of how to design within the rules or how to find interesting loopholes. Next year is a big regulation change so it's a very busy time for all teams on the grid but its also a very exciting time to be in the sport.' Her first win with the team was Las Vegas 2024, a one-two finish for the team. 'We always celebrate wins together at the factory on the Monday after a Grand Prix and your first win is always special,' she said. She said it has truly been a dream come true to join the team. 'There's a real sense of passion and teamwork that runs through everything we do, and it's something you can feel just walking through the factory,' she said. Working at the team, she explained, is good both physically and mentally. 'There is a lot of emphasis placed on wellbeing because we view it as you can't be your best if you aren't feeling your best,' she said. Lloyd speaks to young women in STEM as part of the team's outreach efforts. 'It's something I'm really proud to be involved in,' she said. 'Representation matters, and I hope that by sharing my journey, I can help inspire the next generation of girls to see themselves in motorsport.' She has felt inspired and welcomed from the first day on the job, saying there has been a sense of passion and teamwork that runs through the heartbeat of the team. She feels privileged to be part of the team always chasing the thrill of getting the checkered flag first. 'Formula 1 is such a dynamic and evolving sport—it's not just about the racing, it's about innovation, resilience, and pushing boundaries,' she said. Lloyd said there is something for everyone in Formula 1. 'You might be surprised by how quickly you get hooked,' she said. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . 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Vogue
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Vogue
The Disastrous, Society-Shifting Divorce of William K. and Alva Vanderbilt
In The Gilded Age season three, tensions are high between George and Bertha Russell. While in past seasons, George has been tolerant of Bertha's social schemings, he seems to have hit his limit after Bertha forced their daughter Gladys to marry the Duke of Buckingham for his title—despite her being in love with another man. The fate of their union will unfold over the next several episodes. However, if Fellowes follows the real-life story of William K. and Alva Vanderbilt—the historical inspiration for the fictional George and Bertha—there's unlikely to be a happy ending. Alva Vanderbilt married William 'Willie' K. Vanderbilt in 1875. They met months earlier at a party his father, William H. Vanderbilt, threw for one of his daughters in New York City. Alva's best friend, Consuelo Yznaga, introduced her to the wealthy scion. It was something of a lifeline for Alva: her family had lost their fortune, and she needed an advantageous marriage to provide economic stability. Willie, whom she found handsome and charming, fit the bill—both figuratively and literally. Yet Alva was a woman subject to her times: in the Gilded Age, women were viewed as inferior to men, relegated to the domestic sphere and mostly valued for their beauty. As their marriage progressed, Willie's eye began to wander. "Given the circumstances, she could not have been surprised when her husband began to spend more time at his club, the racetrack, and the gaming table than he did at home,' wrote Sylvia Hoffert in her book Alva Vanderbilt Belmont: Unlikely Champion of Women's Rights. 'Experience had shown her that, like many of his friends, he was a man easily flattered by women who wished to benefit from a relationship with him.' In other words, Willie began to have affairs. One with a woman in Paris, Nellie Neustretter, became particularly egregious. William regularly took her out in public to the theater, or drove with her through the streets of Paris. It was Alva's last straw: 'Alva was not prepared to play second fiddle to anyone, let alone her husband's mistresses,' Hoffert wrote. 'And she certainly was not willing to suffer public humiliation at his hands.' In December 1894, Alva filed for divorce. This was explosive news: divorce meant ostracization from upper class society, who prided themselves on a stable family life—or, perhaps more importantly, the appearance of a stable family life. Her lawyer even begged her to reconsider, as it would air the dirty laundry of the family: at the time, no-fault divorces did not exist… meaning you had to prove fault, which, in this case, was adultery. ('I think now we take divorce for granted, whereas back then it was almost like a death sentence. They were trapped,' The Gilded Age executive producer Sonja Warfield tells Vogue.) Still, she went forth.
Scottish Sun
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
George Russell buys luxury £2.2million Pershing 6X yacht as Mercedes star splashes cash after F1 success
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) GEORGE RUSSELL has splashed out on a £2.2MILLION luxury yacht following his success on the track. The Formula One superstar has traded the tarmac for the waves after recently purchasing a Pershing 6X yacht. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 12 George Russell has splashed out on a new yacht following his success on the track Credit: Getty 12 Russell has bought a Pershing 6X yacht Credit: pershing yacht 12 The luxury boat is decked out with plush seating and leather for comfort on the water Credit: pershing yacht 12 It can reach 48 knots and boasts twin MAN V12 1550mhp engines Credit: pershing yacht 12 The yacht holds up to 14 people Credit: pershing yacht 12 There's plenty of space to lounge out in the sun on the waves too Credit: pershing yacht Russell, 27, is having one of his best campaigns behind the wheel for Mercedes and is currently fourth in the Driver's Standings. And the Brit is clearly earning himself a handsome pay packet, reportedly £11.2m-per-year, as he he started to treat himself to some of the finer things in life. The four-time F1 Grand Prix winner's new yacht is the definition of luxury, a cutting-edge boat with top speeds of 48 knots and enough space to carry 14 people. The 62ft vessel has four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a kitchen and a remarkable upper deck living area. READ MORE F1 NEWS Magnificent seven F1 legends with 14 world titles between them reunite at Goodwood Just like Russell's F1 car, the boat also packs a punch with twin MAN V12 1550mhp engines. Meanwhile the bow of the boat has a huge plush area for Russell and his pals to lounge in the sun when they're out on the water enjoying their time away from the track. And the rear is fit with a garage in case anyone was hoping to bring their jet ski along with them for a change of pace on the water. Pershing are clearly not a company who shy away from treating their customers either, as Russell recently attended the brand's 40th anniversary party in Capri - sipping on champagne and taking in the views of a private drone show. 12 Russell's yacht also has a kitchen on the lower deck Credit: pershing yacht 12 The master bedroom has its own en suite Credit: pershing yacht 12 Another huge bedroom can be found on the lower deck Credit: pershing yacht 12 There's space for friends to stay too Credit: pershing yacht 12 Russell and his pals can enjoy the views with a plush sunbed on the front of the boat Credit: pershing yacht CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Russell could be in good stead to grow his yacht collection in the future as he looks set to pen a new and improved contract with Mercedes. The 27-year old is out of contract next year and has expressed his hope to stay with the team in the future amid speculation of a potential move for Max Verstappen from Red Bull to Mercedes. 'What a 'f---ing lap' - George Russell's X-rated message after Canada pole sets up another battle with Max Verstappen Speaking ahead of the British Grand Prix earlier this month, he said: "I want to continue with Mercedes into the future. Toto [Wolff] has never let me down, has always given me his word. 'He's also got to do what's right for his team, which includes me and the thousands of people who work for Mercedes. 'For me it's nothing to worry about, as I don't think I'll be going anywhere, and whoever my team-mate is doesn't concern me either, so I'll just focus on the driving. 'It'll happen when the time is right. I expect in the next couple of weeks. But we'll need to wait and see. 'There hasn't been a lack of interest, let's say. But I've been focused on my side, I am loyal to Mercedes. 'The likelihood I'm not at Mercedes next year is exceptionally low.'
