George Russell has echoed Lewis Hamilton’s celebrated victory pose at the Singapore Grand Prix after securing a commanding win at the 2025 race. Following his triumph, Russell sat on the start-finish straight, trophy in hand, replicating Hamilton’s memorable 2018 celebration, underscoring the symbolic connection between the two Mercedes drivers at this circuit.
Reflecting on the moment, Russell shared on Instagram,
“In 2018 I was with Mercedes in Singapore and watched Lewis take an incredible pole position and then win the race.”
“I remember how he took a really cool photo on the track afterwards – and I dreamed back then of one day being in Formula 1 myself.”
– George Russell
Dominant Performance Secures Mercedes First Singapore Victory Since 2018
Russell demonstrated strong pace throughout the weekend, delivering two impressive qualifying laps in Q3 to clinch pole position. From the start, he maintained the lead and controlled the race, fending off challenges from title rival Max Verstappen. Verstappen’s slower start, attributed to Red Bull’s strategic choice to equip him with soft tyres to protect track position against McLaren’s drivers, gave Russell a decisive advantage.
This victory marks Mercedes’ first at Singapore since Hamilton’s win in 2018, a race considered pivotal in that year’s title battle. Hamilton’s pole lap from 2018 is widely regarded as one of the finest qualifying efforts in Formula 1 history, achieved on a circuit that traditionally challenged Mercedes, with Sebastian Vettel previously dominating in 2015 and 2017.
Russell Reflects on Growth and Newfound Composure Behind the Wheel
The 2025 season has seen Russell emerge as Mercedes’ clear team leader following Hamilton’s departure, consistently extracting strong results and capitalising on the team’s car performance. Russell attributes his improved results partly to a more relaxed approach compared to his initial years with Mercedes.
Speaking after the race, he said,
“I think it comes with experience, just knowing how to maximise every situation,”
and added,
“Probably a couple of years ago I was driving a bit more tense and probably over-pushing in circumstances when I shouldn’t have been. Now I just feel much more relaxed.”
He described his mindset ahead of the race, noting,
“Going into today, I was relaxed. When it was raining an hour before the race, I just said, you know, it is what it is. It’s the same for everybody.”
“There’s nothing I can do, so there’s no point stressing about it. I think myself a few years ago would have been slightly different.”
– George Russell
Significance of Russell’s Victory for Mercedes and the F1 Title Battle
Russell’s Singapore Grand Prix victory not only ends Mercedes’ lengthy wait for success at this track but also reinforces his status as a leading contender in the 2025 championship campaign. By emulating Hamilton’s victorious aura and demonstrating steady composure, Russell highlights his readiness to carry Mercedes forward. With the momentum gained in Singapore, his challenge against fellow frontrunners like Verstappen will likely intensify as the season progresses.
