Beating Lewis Hamilton on points in his first year with Mercedes, George Russell earned the respect of fans and experts. Moving into the new season, many expected him to carry that form. However, things turned out quite differently. Partly due to his own fault, and partly due to Mercedes lacking pace again, Russell is still searching for his first podium of the season. The chances of that happening in Azerbaijan took a hit yesterday when the Briton failed to make it into Q3. To top the embarrassment, his radio message reacting to the result has made him a laughingstock among the fans.
In the F1 realm, George is considered one of the most sought-after young drivers on the current grid. Many even rate him as high as Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen. Until 2021, he did not get to justify those comparisons as he was driving for Williams, who continued to deliver sub-par cars year after year. However, a move to Mercedes last year saw him score his maiden race win despite a turbulent season for the team.
Fans brutally troll George Russell for his response to the P11 finish
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After a successful outing for Mercedes in Australia, owing to Hamilton’s P2 finish, many expected them to carry the momentum in Baku. However, the car simply lacked pace right from the practice session. That continued when things progressed to the qualifying.
The lack of pace was evident, but not many expected Russell to bow out in just Q2. Soon enough, George got the confirmation on the team radio through his race engineer, who told him that he could only finish P11. His response was pretty unexpected, though. Russell simply went, “Ahhh sugar!”
Take a look at how fans on Twitter reacted to his unusual response.
Why does he talk like he’s 75?
— Laura Barrera (@laubf) April 28, 2023
One has to maintain a certain class.
— Yuzral (@yuzral) April 28, 2023
One fan felt that he should have simply just cussed instead of what he came up with at the moment.
he should have just cussed 😂😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/li3csruOZG
— okaythisistai (@the_kid_floats) April 28, 2023
Others felt this was as British as he could get.
Normal british response
— Baggysaurus (@plays_rio) April 28, 2023
Tell me you’re British without telling me you’re British
— Aimee 🌱🐥🏳️🌈 (@aimeemarie_26) April 28, 2023
this is how americans think all us brits speak
— jake stanex (@jakestanex) April 28, 2023
He really is a irl downton abbey character 😭 https://t.co/7OJcbDhK5b
— fresKim (@freskims) April 28, 2023
For some reason, the broadcasters beeped it out, making fans believe he was cussing.
Saying sugar instead of swearing, but swore in the first place anyway 😂
— Shun (@Shinku_Shun) April 28, 2023
I swearr man makes up all these lines lmao
— $ra • (@Sra_world) April 28, 2023
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Speaking ahead of the practice session, Pierre Gasly spilled the beans on an exclusive “Losers Club” of which Russell and Pierre were a part. Surely they must’ve had a meet-up after the Frenchman crashed in Q1 and George exited after Q2.
george and pierre assembling everyone for an emergency loser‘s club meeting tonight 😭
— michi 🏎💨 (@joonceps) April 28, 2023
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Watch This Story: WATCH: George Russell’s Lonely Moment on Baku Podium Amid Glorious Red Bull Celebration
Do you think the junior Mercedes driver can make some recovery in the main race? Given how tight the Baku street circuit is, it is surely not going to be an easy task.