Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Motorsport
Motorsport
Lydia Mee

George Russell reluctantly makes Canadian GP promise as old video resurfaces

George Russell Kimi Antonelli Mercedes Canadian Grand Prix Circuit Gilles Villeneuve The Canadian Grand Prix

George Russell has reluctantly agreed to honour his long-standing promise that he will jump into the lake at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve if he wins the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday.

In a lighthearted video shared on the Mercedes social media platforms, the Briton found himself backed into a corner when his team pulled up footage of him making the promise at the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix.

"You wanted me in last year. Look at it. It's green and brown," Russell said to the voice behind the camera as he looked at the murky water. "I need to see this proof before you start these allegations."

After claiming that he did not remember the bet from 2025, the previous video was swiftly brought up as evidence. "So you've really pushed me into a corner here? Literally pushing me. All right, we'll do that. Sunday. If we're on the top step. Only if we have a top step!"

As they shook hands to seal the deal, Russell quickly added: "And if it's not raining!"

Looking at Russell's previous success at the Canadian Grand Prix and Mercedes' incredibly strong start to the 2026 season, Russell could easily end up in the lake come Sunday evening if everything goes his way. The 28-year-old driver won the 2025 race, with his team-mate Kimi Antonelli finishing in second.

Russell also won the 2026 season-opening Australian Grand Prix and Chinese sprint race before Antonelli claimed three consecutive wins at the Chinese, Japanese and Miami Grands Prix.

Mercedes also has a substantial upgrade package for this weekend, which could yield further performance gains over the quickly improving McLaren cars.

Antonelli now leads the drivers' championship, becoming the youngest driver in the history of F1 to do so, with a 20-point lead over Russell, so the pressure is on the latter to put an end to his Italian team-mate's momentum.

The Canadian Grand Prix weekend, which includes the third sprint race of the year, will take place from 22-24 May.

Photos from Canadian GP - Thursday

50 Formula 1 Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Haas F1 pitstop practice

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing Team Principal

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Mike Krack, Chief Trackside Officer of Aston Martin F1 Team

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Mercedes pit crew member

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Vroum, the mascot

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Vroum, the mascot

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Toto Wolff, Mercedes

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Lando Norris, McLaren

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Laura Mueller, Race Engineer of Haas F1

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Ayao Komatsu, Haas F1 Team

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Allan McNish, Audi F1 Team Racing Director

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Salut Gilles writing is seen above the finish line

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 George Russell, Mercedes

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Shintaro Orihara, Trackside General Manager and Chief Engineer of Honda Racing Corporation

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Nico Hulkenberg, Audi F1 Team

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Mattia Binotto, Audi F1 Team

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Lando Norris, McLaren

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 George Russell, Mercedes

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls, Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing Team Principal

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Carlos Sainz, Williams

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 George Russell, Mercedes; Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Alexander Albon, Williams

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Aston Martin F1 Team badge

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos

 Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Canadian GP - Thursday, in photos
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Finale: How to watch the historic final episode Live tonight
For millions of viewers, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert became far more than a nightly entertainment program. Whether audiences tuned in for celebrity interviews, sharp political satire or emotional monologues during difficult national moments, the show established itself as a significant voice in modern pop culture.
The Economic Times
The Economic Times
Quentin Tarantino scolded Brad Pitt over film faux pas
Bruce Dern has recalled how Brad Pitt's reaction to one of his improvised lines in Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood got him in trouble with Quentin Tarantino.
AAP
AAP
Can engaging in the arts slow ageing, as a recent study suggested?
Can spending more time engaging with the arts, such as visiting galleries, museums, singing or painting, really lead to a longer and healthier life? It’s certainly an appealing idea. And it’s not implausible.
The Conversation
The Conversation
Spider-Noir to Star City: the seven best shows to stream this week
Nicolas Cage plays Spidey as a 1930s private eye – and really gives it his all. Plus, an enthralling look at the Soviet space race that could well be the new Chernobyl
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
What we lose when "The Late Show" ends
We'll see Stephen Colbert again, but his broadcast exit closes out David Letterman's absurdist TV legacy
Salon
Salon
Quentin Tarantino warned Brad Pitt he'd be 'dead in this business' after film faux pas
Once Upon A Time In Hollywood actor Bruce Dern has recalled how Brad Pitt's reaction to one of his 'Dernsie' improvised lines got him in trouble with Quentin Tarantino.
BANG Premier
BANG Premier
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play