George Russell has opened up on a particularly awkward first encounter with Brad Pitt, before the Formula 1 driver gatecrashed one of the Hollywood titan’s interviews at a swanky premiere

George Russell has opened up on his first meeting with Brad Pitt(Image: Kym Illman, Getty Images)

George Russell has explained that he had quite an awkward first encounter with Brad Pitt, despite the two seeming like best friends during a recent interview.

Pitt has spent a number of years getting to know the ins and outs of Formula 1, as well as seeking guidance from some of the sport’s biggest stars as he filmed a new movie on the sport which landed in cinemas last month.

He initially attended the US Grand Prix in Texas back in 2022 as a guest with Mercedes, when he first met esteemed driver Russell.

Reflecting on the incident when asked if he has ever been left starstruck by a celebrity, Russell explained: “Starstruck maybe is pushing it a little bit, but the first time I ever saw Brad Pitt I wanted to act quite cool so I didn’t want to take a photo with him as everyone else was.

“So I pretended to be on the phone and sort of took the photo on the side of my phone. I’ve still got it on my phone now and I wanted to show him in Austin because we had a chat but it slipped my mind so next time.”

However, then the two met at the premiere of F1: The Movie last month in New York City, Russell wasn’t quite as reserved. Pitt was being interviewed by Sky Sports when he spotted Russell approaching, before he said: “Hold on… what a weekend, dude.”

Alluding to the Canadian Grand Prix which Russell won, he added: “What a great race. Dude, it was so fun… it was so fun to watch. Dude, real pleasure. We’ll talk later.”

All smiles, Russell exchanged a firm handshake and a swift hug with Pitt before he replied: “We’ve got the matching salmon shirt,” referencing their similar fashion choices. To which, Pitt playfully added: “You texted. You said pink and I said pink? I said okay.”

With one win and five podiums to his name for 2025 thus far, Russell will hope to bridge the gap on Drivers’ Championship leader Max Verstappen of Red Bull as the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on Sunday.

Russell trails Verstappen by just 70 points with 13 races on the F1 calendar remaining at present. And given he started the British GP in fourth on the grid behind the RB star and McLaren duo Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, he has given himself a fighting chance to reign supreme at Silverstone and slim Verstappen’s overall lead.

It comes as the Express reports Russell has played down any rumours of him parting ways with Mercedes for 2026, as Verstappen has been linked with a move to the team. The 27-year-old is out of contract with his current side at the end of this season, but he believes he will secure a new deal ahead of the new year.

He told BBC Sport: “The likelihood I’m not at Mercedes next year, I think, is exceptionally low,” adding: “I want to continue with Mercedes into the future. The fact is, Toto [Wolff] has never let me down. He’s always given me his word, but he’s also got to do what’s right for his team, which includes me.

“But it also includes the thousands of people who work for Mercedes. For me, it’s nothing to worry about because I don’t think I’ll be going anywhere. And whoever my team-mate will be, it doesn’t concern me either. I know where their loyalty lies. It doesn’t need to be public.

“It doesn’t need to be broadcast to everybody. I feel I’m performing better than ever. And it’s as simple as that really. Performance speaks for everything.”