An unexpected “George Russell UNO championship” unfolded when Oscar Piastri, George Russell, and Alex Albon turned routine travel time into competitive fun during the 2025 Formula 1 season, highlighting the strong camaraderie and friendly rivalry that exists off the track. The impromptu tournament, held on a flight from Baku to Singapore, showcased drivers’ playful spirits and dedication to competition, even outside their racing environment.
How Drivers Created Their Own Game During Travels
Oscar Piastri shared the inside story on F1’s Off The Grid, recounting how a casual card game escalated among himself, Russell, and Albon as they flew together between races. Piastri explained that what started merely as a way to pass the time quickly gained a competitive edge as the drivers introduced their unique rules to the game, with Russell in particular bringing in his family’s homegrown variations.
“Myself, George Russell and Alex Albon had an UNO World Championship on the way from Baku to Singapore last year,”
laughed Piastri, highlighting the lighthearted, yet competitive nature of the friendly contest. Referring to Russell’s inventive approach, Piastri pointed out that some rules were new to him, describing them as “questionable rule decisions,” which added an unpredictable twist to the championship.
With laughter, Piastri affirmed that Russell’s “family rules” did indeed seem to improve the Mercedes driver’s chances, but insisted it was all part of the reputation for competitiveness that unites the Formula 1 grid.
“We’re always competitive at everything, all the drivers. It’s always good fun.”
—Oscar Piastri, McLaren driver
Racing Roots and a Natural Competitive Edge
The intensity and love of competition for drivers like Piastri runs deep. Before entering the demanding world of Formula 1, Piastri developed his racing instincts through remote-controlled car championships and then by moving onto go-karts, winning national titles as a child and following in the footsteps of iconic racers like Lewis Hamilton.
“Been a competitive person since I was really little,”
he said.
“But channelling that into racing and motorsport…Yeah, started with RC cars, won a national championship at nine and then started racing go-karts a year later.”
—Oscar Piastri, McLaren driver
These early experiences have helped shape Piastri into a championship contender as he continues to climb in Formula 1 with McLaren, racing alongside drivers such as Lando Norris and against figures including Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.
The Community and Lifestyle of an F1 Racer
Like many of his peers, Piastri now resides in Monaco, where the proximity to other drivers means shared travel and opportunities for social activities—on and off the racing circuits.
“It’s convenient when you want to go and play padel or do other things,”
he shared, referencing the leisure benefits of living in Monaco.
“Also makes travelling to the races convenient. Like I’m sure most people have seen, we often travel to races together and stuff on those plane journeys.”
—Oscar Piastri, McLaren driver
Piastri described the post-race atmosphere in Monaco as a welcome change of pace:
“It’s pretty cool to come here when the races are done. It’s a bit more relaxed when there’s no racing.”
—Oscar Piastri, McLaren driver
These routines and downtime moments help balance out the relentless pressure of racing seasons and contribute to the close-knit community within Formula 1.
Adjusting to Fame and Looking Ahead
As Piastri’s F1 career progresses and his reputation grows, he has encountered a shift in his everyday life—experiencing recognition far beyond the racetrack.
“It is still a little bit strange,”
he admitted.
“Obviously at the track you expect the attention, but there has been times where you go in the supermarket or whatever, out of nowhere, someone’s asking for a photo or an autograph or whatever, or even just asking, ‘is that really you?’”
—Oscar Piastri, McLaren driver
Piastri’s ability to balance fierce competition, public attention, and moments of leisure with friends like George Russell and Alex Albon not only reflects his adaptability but strengthens his connection with fans. As he looks to continue his impressive form into future seasons, the camaraderie and humor seen in their “UNO championship” serve as reminders that even at the sport’s highest level, drivers cherish opportunities to unwind and share laughs together.
