Djokovic inspires Mercedes' Russell in longevity quest
Red Bull Racing/Red Bull Content Pool
In a notable cross-sport collaboration, tennis legend Novak Djokovic has been assisting Mercedes Formula One driver George Russell in his quest for lasting success in the demanding world of motor racing. At 26, the British driver is already drawing inspiration from Djokovic's renowned dedication to excellence and human performance.
Russell recounted their initial meeting to Reuters at the Hungarian Grand Prix, revealing that it happened somewhat serendipitously in Monaco. “I bumped into him at the gym, and we walked home together,” Russell explained. This candid interaction evolved into a constructive exchange of ideas, with Djokovic being remarkably open about his own practices.
“We've shared ideas together, and he's been really open with me with things he's trying and what's working for him. We're just talking, many different ideas. Physical and mental,” Russell said. “I don't want to share too much because they are private conversations, but I just really like how he's constantly wanting to learn more and that inspires me to learn more about myself, what works for me, what works for them and pushing the boundaries.”
The collaboration comes at a pivotal time in Russell’s career. With seven-time world champion teammate Lewis Hamilton, 39, moving to Ferrari next season, Russell is keenly aware of the need to ensure his own longevity in the sport. Djokovic’s insights into maintaining peak performance over time could prove invaluable.
"There's a lot that he knows that I won't and vice versa, and you've got to take all these ideas from the best in each profession and see what you can take for yourself," Russell noted. "I feel fit, healthy and in a great place right now at the age of 26 but I need to make sure that I'm fit, healthy and as motivated in 10 years' time, 15 years' time, who knows, 20 years' time. I'm trying to put in work now."
Djokovic’s interest in motor racing has also been piqued, with plans to attend a grand prix in the near future. Russell's admiration for tennis extends beyond Djokovic, culminating in his attendance at Wimbledon this month, where he witnessed Djokovic's loss to Carlos Alcaraz in the final. Still, the experience deepened his respect for the sport.
"I love the tennis. It's probably my favorite sport to watch. I don't play tennis, but [I have a] huge amount of respect for the players," Russell said. “For these tennis players, their body is like how the car is for us. We've got man and machine, for them, they are out there by themselves, so the physio, the training, the cooling, the hydration, the nutrition—all of that is the fuel that we put in our car, the aerodynamics.”
The unyielding pursuit of excellence and the drive to continually push boundaries is what unites Djokovic and Russell, making their partnership a promising one for the future.
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