George Russell takes to the skies ahead of the British Grand Prix

The Mercedes Maverick! F1 star George Russell channels his inner Tom Cruise as he jets off into the skies with the RAF with the British racer given a crash course in flying

  • Mercedes star George Russell is preparing for this week’s British Grand Prix
  • The 25-year-old was given a crash course in flying in a RAF Typhoon fighter jet
  • Russell will be hoping to step on the podium for the first time at his home race 

George Russell swapped his Mercedes for an ‘experience of a lifetime’ ride ahead of this weekend’s British Grand Prix.

The 25-year-old, who is currently seventh in the drivers’ standings, was given a crash course in flying in the back of an RAF Typhoon fighter jet. 

Russell met the team at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire before taking to the skies and enjoying the thrill of being a fighter pilot. 

It was a different type of high-speed thrill than what Russell has become accustomed to, but it perhaps serves as the best preparation as he looks to take his first podium on home soil this weekend. 

Channelling his inner Tom Cruise, Russell posted photos of his experience with the caption ‘Maverick’ – referencing the famous Top Gun movies.  

Mercedes driver George Russell took to the skies in the back of an RAF Typhoon fighter jet

The 25-year-old British racing star described the day as an ‘experience of a lifetime’ 

It was a different kind of high-speed thrill for Russell, who took his maiden win in Brazil last year

He also wrote: ‘An experience of a lifetime having the chance to fly a Typhoon Fighter Jet. 

‘Seeing the teamwork, camaraderie and skillset within the whole of the RAF, I truly understand why it’s such an honour to work for the Royal Air Force.

‘Thank you so much for the opportunity, for teaching me a huge amount and of course for the ride!!’

Russell got to witness how workers at the Royal Air Force operate and he was also joined by Sky Sports reporter Ted Kravitz – with the footage set to be shown by the broadcaster ahead of this weekend’s race.  

The entire Mercedes team will be hoping for a much better outcome at the British Grand Prix after a frustrating weekend in Austria.

Russell finished seventh in the Austrian Grand Prix – one place ahead of Lewis Hamilton who was demoted following a time penalty due to going over track limits.

It was a concern for Mercedes who were beaten comfortably by the two Red Bulls, the Ferrari pair of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, as well as the McLaren of Lando Norris and Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin.  

Russell (second left) was joined by Sky Sport’s Ted Kravitz (second right) with his experience set to be broadcast this weekend before the British Grand Prix

George Russell is currently seventh in the drivers’ standings and will be hoping to clinch his first ever podium on home soil this weekend at Silverstone

Russell said after the race: ‘The pace was really not what we expected it to be. We have a lot to understand, because we took a big step backwards. And Lando and McLaren were a big surprise for us, so they clearly got it right.’

He has taken 72 points from the opening nine races this season – a massive 157 behind dominant championship leader Max Verstappen. 

Hamilton is not faring much better in fourth on 106 points – three positions ahead of Russell in the standings.  

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