Who wouldn’t crave a tropical warm‑up before a race? Mercedes ace George Russell unveiled a boys’ getaway to Langkawi, complete with a local go‑kart sprint, ahead of this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix.
On Instagram, Russell shared snaps alongside six F1 peers – Oscar Piastri, Alex Albon, Oliver Bearman, Carlos Sainz, Gabriel Bortoleto and Lando Norris.
The images capture the crew beside a waterfall, tearing around a kart track and even battling over a chessboard, while Norris records his McLaren teammate for the Prime series.
During a Kuala Lumpur press conference at the Petronas Towers, Russell told reporters the itinerary was shaped by Mercedes’ title sponsor, Petronas.
‘Langkawi blew us away,’ the 28‑year‑old said. ‘We visit Malaysia often, and Petronas staff keep urging us to explore the island’s beauty.’
‘We teamed up with six other drivers and had an unforgettable time,’ he added. ‘Stunning scenery, warm locals and a surreal vibe made it the ideal pre‑race prep.’ For my money, these bonding outings boost team spirit.
Kimi Antonelli, Russell’s teammate, also touched down early, opting to wander Kuala Lumpur and hit a water park.
‘I had a blast,’ the championship leader admitted. ‘The park was nearly empty, so I zipped down the same slide five times in three minutes, sprinting back and forth.’
‘Besides that, I’ve been touring the city,’ he continued. ‘Kuala Lumpur is fascinating, though I skipped the traditional cuisine – maybe after the weekend.’
Antonelli heads to the Bahrain Grand Prix carrying a 66‑point cushion after Russell’s triumph in Azerbaijan.
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The Team. Will the camaraderie translate into podium finishes at Bahrain?