Mercedes driver George Russell unexpectedly startled F1 photographer Kym Illman during the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend when he nearly ran Illman over in a busy car park. The incident, captured in a candid TikTok video, highlights a tense moment involving Russell and his own photographer Richard Pardon while exiting the venue.
Illman described the event, explaining that he and Pardon were crouched down taking photos of Russell as he approached in his Mercedes. Despite thinking he was safe since Pardon was in front, Illman revealed that Pardon quickly dodged aside just as Russell briefly accelerated toward him, causing a sudden scare.
Photographer Details the Close Encounter with Russell
Kym Illman shared his experience directly, saying,
“George Russell almost ran me over in the car park!”
He went on to add,
“What happened? Let me tell you,”
setting the stage for the story behind the near miss. He went on to say,
“George is driving towards us with a car full of people and I think, ‘fine I’m safe, because Richard is in front of me’, however, I didn’t see Richard quickly ducked to the side and George has seen me and jokingly gunned the accelerator, just for a millisecond, but certainly got me moving.”
Despite the unexpected episode, Illman also captured a striking photo of Russell behind the wheel, showing the driver’s amused expression during the incident.
Russell’s Questionable Parking Skills on Display
Following the near accident, Illman didn’t hold back in assessing Russell’s parking abilities, giving the driver a low score:
“Then he parked his car and I watched him and I’ve got to tell you, I give him a four out of 10 for his parking effort!”
This playful critique reflects a lighter side amidst the tense moment in the car park.
Strong Race Performance Overshadows Off-Track Mishaps
While the car park incident raised eyebrows, Russell’s performance on track at the Budapest Grand Prix proved far more impressive. He secured his 21st career podium by overtaking Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc on lap 62 of the 70-lap race, capitalizing on Leclerc’s difficulties during the event.
Leclerc faced a five-second penalty for erratic driving in the closing stages of their battle, allowing Russell to finish ahead and also claim the fastest lap of the race. This result marked a significant moment for Russell and the Mercedes team, helping reduce the points gap to Ferrari in the constructors‘ championship.
Championship Standings Tighten as Teams Head into Summer Break
Mercedes is now trailing Ferrari by just 24 points in the team standings after a challenging weekend for the Italian outfit. Russell’s consistent driving has been crucial in maintaining pressure on their rivals. As the Formula 1 paddock pauses for the annual summer shutdown, Russell can reflect on his efforts while preparing for the championship’s resumption at the Dutch Grand Prix later this month.
In addition to Russell’s impact, the season continues to stir tension and anticipation among drivers and fans alike, with battles for positions intensifying after the recent Hungarian race.
F1 Photographer’s Humorous Take on the Incident
Kym Illman, known for his presence in F1 media, took to social media to share his thoughts humorously:
“@kymillmanf1 George Russell is a menace! However, I had the last laugh as I caught his dodgy parking efforts and all of the other parking offences in the drivers’ car park!”
This lighthearted jab came alongside footage capturing the chaotic scene, perfectly blending the thrill of the sport with unexpected off-track moments.
