Russell goes full lucha libre and undercover at Mexico City GP

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When your car’s being borrowed and you suddenly find yourself with a free practice session to kill… George Russell did what any self-respecting Formula 1 driver would do in Mexico City – he threw on a lucha libre mask and joined the fans in the grandstands.

With Mercedes rookie Frederik Vesti taking over his W15 for FP1, Russell decided to “sneak” into the iconic Foro Sol stadium at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez to watch the action from the people’s perspective – complete with nacho-themed disguise and a great view of his own car flying past.

“Someone’s borrowing my car, I’ve not seen an F1 car on track for a long, long time. So let’s go,” he joked in a Mercedes video, moments before slipping into the stands like a masked motorsport vigilante on an undercover mission.

Fans around him had no idea they were sitting next to a Grand Prix winner as he cheered, pointed out “That’s my car! He’s in my car!” and soaked in the Mexican GP atmosphere.

Afterwards, the Brit admitted: “I enjoyed that a lot to be honest. I’ve not seen F1 cars on track for years and years and years. It was cool. Get to see what everyone else sees.”

Sometimes even F1 drivers need a reminder of why they fell in love with the sport — and in Mexico, George Russell found it right there in the grandstands, hidden behind a wrestling mask and a very big grin.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.