To celebrate the World’s Fastest Family, George Russell talks about his career highlights, how he wants to change the racing game, and what family really means to him…
To the Mercedes-AMG community, family is everything. Since its founders Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher came together in 1967 to build the fastest family in the world, Mercedes-AMG has broken boundaries, set records and pumped fresh, invigorating energy into the racing world. From the 300 SE engine, where it all started, to racing legend Lewis Hamilton winning seven Formula One World Championships, the AMG family has stretched beyond its homebase of Affalterbach, Germany, and reaches to the far corners of the globe.
And lately, the World’s Fastest Family set another milestone by introducing a new member to the family. It’s 24-year-old Formula One prodigy George Russell who’s bringing even more power and speed into Mercedes-AMG.
“I don’t think it brings any additional pressure,” George says as we ask how it feels to join Mercedes-AMG’ repertoire of racing brilliance. “Once the helmet is on, you’re focussed on one goal, and that’s driving as fast as possible.”
For George, racing isn’t just his career – it’s always been part of his life. The baby steps towards his dream starting with driving around his garden in toy cars and quad bikes, before taking his skills and speed onto the karting track. Now, alongside racing legend Lewis Hamilton, George is helping to maintain the prestige and prowess of Mercedes-AMG on and off the track.
But beyond racing, George understands and highlights the importance of family to him – both his new Mercedes-AMG family, and the one he has back home, in the stands cheering him on, and supporting him all the way through the highs and lows of his career so far.
“Racing is what we live for. It’s fully ingrained into all of us. What I’ll bring to the World’s Fastest Family is even more speed.”