George Russell has voiced his admiration for Fernando Alonso’s relentless dedication to Formula 1, praising the two-time world champion’s “warrior mentality” as Alonso approaches his historic 400th Grand Prix start at this weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix. The Mercedes driver, just 26, expressed his own aspirations to follow in Alonso’s footsteps, racing well into his 40s.
Russell sees Alonso’s commitment as an inspiration, particularly in maintaining peak physical fitness and mental toughness over more than two decades in F1. “Fernando is definitely a warrior,” Russell remarked. “His focus on himself and his body is impressive… seeing him and Lewis still competing at this level inspires me to believe I could race another 15 years as well.”
Alonso’s career has been defined by tenacity and skill, even amid challenges with his current team, Aston Martin, who have only managed 62 points this season. The 43-year-old driver remains hopeful that Aston Martin will provide him with a more competitive car in 2025, but for now, his focus remains on achieving the best possible outcomes with the AMR24.
Beyond the admiration, Russell’s week has also been marked by frustration. At the recent United States Grand Prix, he received a controversial penalty from race stewards, which he argued lacked “common sense.” He voiced concerns over the lack of consistency in FIA officiating, suggesting that having the same group of stewards throughout the season could improve decision-making. “Anyone watching could see the call wasn’t right. We all want to see consistent, common-sense judgments, not rigid rule-following that doesn’t suit the moment,” he said.
Mercedes and McLaren also criticized the FIA’s decisions post-race in Austin, seeking clarity as they head into the high-stakes Mexican Grand Prix. Both teams hope for a fairer race experience and the chance to boost their standings.
As Alonso’s resilience and Russell’s call for change highlight two different aspects of F1, both drivers are set for a pivotal weekend in Mexico. Can Alonso mark his milestone with a strong finish, and will Russell’s push for officiating reform gain traction within the FIA?
