GEORGE RUSSELL has recalled a hilarious but awkward case of mistaken identity between himself and Prince George.
Formula One driver Russell is used to being swarmed by fans around the world as he races in the quickest machines on the planet.
However, he has lifted the lid on how the spotlight was taken from him when royalty was in town.
Speaking in an interview earlier this year, the 26-year-old said: “There’s actually a funny story.
“I was at a rugby match watching England play and suddenly everyone in front of me turned around and were looking up.
“And they were screaming, ‘George, George, Prince George, Prince George’.
READ MORE IN F1
“And I thought this is a bit strange. Like all these people screaming at me.
“And then I turned around and the real Prince George was standing behind me.
“So (laughing) that kind of made sense.”
It is not clear exactly what game this took place at, though Russell is known to be a big rugby fan after playing it at school.
Most read in Motorsport
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
The Brit was seen attending the opening game of the Rugby World Cup last year as France beat New Zealand 27-13 with his partner, Carmen Montero Mundt.
Russell recovered from a pitlane start to finish a strong P6 in Sunday’s US Grand Prix feature race – won by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
However, Russell was hit with a five-second penalty en route to that result, which had left Mercedes boss Toto Wolff fuming at the “total joke” decision by stewards.
Russell had been judged to run Valtteri Bottas off the track at Turn 12, but a later incident that saw Max Verstappen appear to run Lando Norris off the track saw him go unpunished.
When Russell asked whether Verstappen received a penalty for it, Wolff replied over the team radio: “No, he didn’t get a penalty and at the end Lando got a penalty for being forced off and overtaking on the outside.
“I guess it’s a bit biased decision-making but not surprising.”
F1 returns next weekend in Mexico in the second race in a triple-header.
🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁
F1 reporter Isabelle Barker’s prediction
I EXPECT Max Verstappen to go all guns blazing over the next six-rounds. I also think his experience and aggression could give him the edge.
It seems too little too late for Norris showing consistency, despite that dominant win in Singapore last time out.
You can’t help think what could have been had he sorted out his first-lap issues sooner.
Norris needs to prove he has the mental fortitude, because we all know he’s got the speed, the team and the fastest car.
Verstappen has endured an eight-race winless streak, but he has still managed to score points, with three second-places during that time.
So I think the Dutchman will lift his fourth world-title this season, by the skin of his teeth.
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
