George Russell has revealed that his ability to block out “external noise” in the cockpit helped him deal with the speculation surrounding his Formula 1 future in 2025.
The rumours regarding Mercedes’ 2026 driver line-up were put to bed last month as the team confirmed Russell will continue alongside rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
Despite the uncertainty, though, Russell’s performances have remained consistent as he has taken a career-high seven podiums – including two victories – this season.
Reflecting on the off-track noise that preceded his recent extension, Russell said that he has learned to keep perspective and to separate his driving from the drama.
“Well, I think for me I’ve always been quite good when the helmet comes on, like any external noise is squashed, and that’s also been in the past if I’ve been, let’s say in a bad mood or angry for whatever reason or frustrated, but whenever the helmet goes on, it’s never really affected me,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
Russell admitted questions became tiresome
Russell has now admitted that the repeated questions regarding his future became tiresome, but he maintained that they never interfered with his work on the track.
“And, you know, of course there was a lot of noise and speculation going on, but I knew the reality of that,” he continued.
“Of course it was annoying every weekend answering the questions from you, so yeah, thanks for those!
“But when I put the helmet on, I’m not thinking about my contract or the questions you ask me.
“I’m thinking about driving fast, so I guess that is the lesson, is you just continue focusing on what we’re here to do.”
Asked how he manages to switch off from the outside world, Russell said it comes down to knowing what truly matters to him.
“I think normally when I would, let’s say, leave this room, I wouldn’t dwell on anything that has been said or been asked because I’m not here to, let’s say, give the best answers to you guys, or, you know, I didn’t grow up dreaming of being in front of a television,” he explained.
That mindset, he says, helps him focus on his goals and his team rather than the media narrative.
“I grew up dreaming of being a Formula 1 World Champion, and that’s why all of this that happens around it is just white noise,” he added.
“You can choose to let that affect you, or you can choose to sort of let it go in one ear and out the other and then focus on what is important.
“And what’s important to me is working with my team, being happy off track, trying to make my family and my girlfriend proud of me of how I sort of go about my business.
“The rest is always going to be there, and people want to sort of twist the words or however it may be, but that’s just how our life works, really.
“So I think coming to that reality, and probably having thick skin, helps a bit.”
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