George Russell: F1 drivers poke fun at adidas cooling…

This article is in partnership with adidas.

George Russell has been sporting a new look during particularly warm races this Formula 1 season. Mercedes’ outfitter adidas developed an eye-catching cooling product for Russell and his team-mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli, which the pair has been wearing on the starting grid.

The metallic-hued cooling vest system, affectionately dubbed the ‘space jacket,’ combines coolant with integrated fans and insulation to prevent the drivers from overheating.

During an appearance at the adidas flagship store on Oxford Street in London, Russell theorised that the 18 other drivers on the grid were envious of his lustrous – and functional – new threads.

“They are making fun of us because they’re jealous, it’s as simple as that,” he said jokingly ahead of the British Grand Prix.

“F1 is a unique sport. Right before racing we’re standing on the grid, we’ve got cameras in our face, people coming up for interviews, and it’s so hot sometimes when you're in your race suit… you're melting,” he explained.

“We all wear ice vests, but you stand in the sun for five minutes and they’re melted. The space jacket’s got a fan in it, so it keeps me ice cool and feeling fresh.”

George Russell, Mercedes (Photo by: adidas)

Elsewhere in the conversation, the Brit lifted the lid on what happens during the post-race cooldown room, which is filmed for the broadcast.

“Everyone is always trying to get some information out of one another [in the cooldown room] so you’ve got to give a little bit to get a little bit in return,” he explained. “Sometimes you drop in something that’s really false just to see if they bite.”

Of his relationship with the other drivers on the grid, Russell went on: “I don’t think there’s any other sport where the top 20 athletes in the world compete together 24 times a year and travel to the same places week-in, week-out.”

The hectic schedule allows them to build closer relationships – albeit “not with everyone,” he joked.

“We’re all in the same boat. It doesn't matter if you've won the race, came last or broken down, every driver can understand what that person is going through,” he said.

Most recently, he spent time on the padel court with Williams driver Carlos Sainz.

“It was the first time he actually accepted the invite, and I learned the reason he never accepted an invite was because he thought he was too good for us,” Russell said. “It turned out it was true, which was really annoying. He was mega good.”