Russell goes full Top Gun with RAF ahead of British GP

George Russell decided to take his need for speed to new heights ahead of this week's British Grand Prix with the help of the Royal Air Force.

Russell was invited by the latter's 29 Squadron at Coningsby where he channeled his inner Maverick as he strapped himself into the cockpit of a thundering RAF Typhoon Fighter Jet for a gravity-defying thundering ride.

The thrilling experience offered the Mercedes driver an opportunity to realize how teamwork and fantastic engineering are crucial to both the RAF and to the Brackley squad

"An experience of a lifetime having the chance to fly a Typhoon Fighter Jet," Russell wrote on social media.

"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!!"

After such a daring and booming experience, it's likely Russell will have a newfound appreciation for the relative tranquility of an F1 car.

Perhaps the Briton even wondered if the whole adventure was just a clever ploy by Mercedes to prepare him for the adrenaline rush of battling it out on the track next weekend.

After all, if you can survive a Typhoon Fighter Jet, a few laps at Silverstone should be a breeze, right?

Russell's day with the RAF was filmed as a feature by Sky Sports F1 and the segment will be part of the broadcaster's build-up programme to Sunday's British Grand Prix.

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