George Russell’s climb to the top of Formula 1 has always been defined by talent, determination, and a steely composure beyond his years.
But behind the polished image of a three-time Grand Prix winner lies a far more complex origin story — one rooted in sacrifice, emotional struggle, and a father’s tough love but enduring commitment to his son's dream.
Unlike Max Verstappen, whose F1 pedigree comes directly from his father Jos, Russell’s dad, Steve, had no relationship with the world of motorsport.
He built a life — and a small fortune — selling seeds and wheat as a merchant in the agricultural business. Still, he saw potential in young George and chose to bet everything on it.
But the investment didn’t come without immense pressure.
A Childhood Forged in Sacrifice
Growing up in King’s Lynn, Russell’s childhood was far from ordinary. From the age of seven, he was thrust into the highly competitive world of karting, where his father’s expectations loomed large.
“It was hard,” Russell admitted of his childhood, speaking to the Daily Mail.
“From the age of seven to 16 you are not mature enough to recognise what your parents are doing for you.
“My father was working every day from seven in the morning to nine at night to earn his money to take me racing at the weekend. As a kid you question, ‘Where’s dad?’ Oh, he's at work. ‘Why’s he at work?’”
“And then we go racing and he is quite stressed from his job. And if I was making silly mistakes, he’d be dead angry with me.”
The emotional toll of those years is something Russell now reflects on with honesty. Racing was not just a sport — it was the family’s future. The stakes were enormous, and so was the weight on his young shoulders.
“In those eight years, there were happy times, but there are lots of sad memories from my parents fighting because of how hard my father was being on me. My mum was trying to hold it all together,” he remembered.
The Weight of Expectation
The expectations were unrelenting: pole position and a podium in every race. Even victories were dissected for flaws.
“It was, ‘You're not winning.’ The expectation was to be on pole and win every race, at least always be on the podium. Even times when I did win, it wasn't sunshine and glory on the way home.”
“It was, ‘But you could have done this better, done that better.’”
Steve Russell’s mindset, George now understands, wasn’t about cruelty — it was about ensuring the money and time he poured into his son’s racing wouldn’t be wasted. But it left emotional scars.
“He has moulded me into the guy I am today,” added the Mercedes driver. “He would always want the glass full, hee would see where I could have improved while never seeing the positives.
“I continue the mentality of looking at where I could have done better, while ensuring I see the positives. Otherwise, it can be a very slippery slope.”
As he now watches his own brother’s children begin their go-karting journey, George sees the same stress from a different perspective.
“I can now see it with my brother: his kids are starting go-karting and he is working his a*** off to give them the chance. Life isn't simple, with the stress of work and the rest. And I will forever be grateful for what my dad did.
“I just accepted the way he dealt with me. I accepted that if I didn't win, he wouldn't be happy with me. And that the journey home would be a long one, and most likely end in tears.”
A Father’s Gamble, Paid Back in Full
At just 12 years old, George witnessed his father make the ultimate gamble: Steve sold his agricultural business to fund his son's racing future. It was a make-or-break moment. If George didn’t make it, there would be no way to recover the money lost.
The breakthrough came when Mercedes signed Russell to their junior program in 2017. Two years later, he was in Formula 1 with Williams. And by 2022, he was Lewis Hamilton’s teammate at Mercedes — one of the most coveted seats in the sport.
With success came perspective — and financial means. Russell never forgot what had been sacrificed for him, and he made sure to repay it in full.
Alison and Steve Russell.
“For where we lived, my father was an exceptionally successful man. But in that industry success was making a profit,” he said.
“Now we are in a world of unrealistic wealth with billionaires around us. We could have lived a very happy life had he not done that.”
“I have paid everything back that he spent on me. I made it clear that as soon as I made money, I wanted to pay everything off. It was about £1.5m.”
Today, George Russell is among the sport’s elite. At 27, he has 19 podiums, three race wins, and a $15 million annual salary with Mercedes — a figure that could double soon if contract negotiations go his way.
His relationship with his father has also evolved. The strict disciplinarian of his youth now watches proudly as his son competes at the very top of motorsport. And George carries no bitterness — only clarity.
His journey was painful at times, but the hardship shaped the competitor he is today. And that’s something he wouldn't trade for anything.
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Russell repays $2M to the man who made his F1 dream happen F1i.com.
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