George Russell has humorously suggested he might produce a nude calendar if he fails to secure a Formula 1 seat for the upcoming season. The British driver made the remark shortly after his victory at the Canadian Grand Prix, amid ongoing speculation about his contract status with Mercedes.
The idea came up during an interview addressing a social media video encouraging Russell to jump into the Olympic rowing basin near the paddock as a celebration gesture. Russell explained that the video was created by German photographer Paul Ripke, who had joined the Mercedes team at the Canadian Grand Prix weekend.
Background on Paul Ripke’s role and Valtteri Bottas connection
Paul Ripke is well known in the F1 community for his previous collaborations with Valtteri Bottas, where his creative input led to Bottas adopting a blonde mullet hairstyle and producing nude calendars to engage fans. Russell described Ripke as a “crazy German” based in Los Angeles, whose influence inspired some of Bottas’s most notable social media moments.
Russell said,
“We have this crazy German who’s living in Los Angeles who has rejoined us this weekend.”
Talking about Ripke, Russell added,
“He’s a friend of Valtteri’s and is probably an inspiration for Valtteri’s nude calendars and the mullet and all of this stuff. He’s in the room with us today, and he’s the one who said, ‘If I win, we need to jump in the lake.’”
Russell’s playful calendar proposal and contract updates
When fellow driver Max Verstappen encouraged Russell to create his own calendar, the Mercedes driver joked about the possibility as a form of financial backup. Russell said,
“Well, I’m considering the calendar. You know? If I don’t have a contract next year, I need to bring the calendar out to bring in the income.”
—George Russell, Mercedes Driver
Despite the joke, Russell’s chances of needing alternative income appear slim. His strong qualification performance and race win in Canada have intensified rumors of an imminent new contract with Mercedes. Should negotiations fail, Russell’s name has also been linked with a potential move to Aston Martin for the 2026 season.
Implications for Russell’s F1 future
Russell’s lighthearted comments reveal the underlying uncertainty many athletes face when their professional futures remain unresolved. While the nude calendar remains a humorous aside, his recent success and clear demand ensure that Russell is positioned strongly for continued competition in Formula 1. Fans and insiders will watch closely as contract discussions develop and the sport’s 2026 season approaches.
