RULE TROUBLE
‘I had promised not to tell anyone’, says George Russell as Brit reveals F1 stars break F1 boozing rules
Scroll to read other stringent clauses within F1
GEORGE RUSSELL has revealed that his Williams contract contained a strict clause banning him from drinking on F1 race weekends.
But the Brit also added that he vowed not to expose the F1 culprits who routinely broke this golden rule.
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A fresh clip from the newest series of Netflix's Drive to Survive has exposed the strict demands placed on drivers during the F1 season.
During the third episode, Russell and McLaren driver Lando Norris sit together in a private plane and joke about whether they want to party that night.
Russell, 26, answered in passing that he had a clause in his Williams contract that prevented him from drinking alcohol on race weekends.
He said: "I don't want to name any names, but there were definitely people who still drank."
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To which Norris responded: "Do you think so?"
Russell added: “I know it! I saw it during race weekends. But I promised not to tell anyone.”
Whether he meant a teammate or rival is not revealed in the series.
Fellow Brit Norris, 24, looked questioningly into the camera and grinned.
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Russell's revelation is the latest in a series of unusual contract clauses to be unearthed by F1 racers.
In January, world champion Max Verstappen disclosed that his Red Bull contracts forbids him "dangerous sports" like skiing.
The sport's governing body - the FIA - also have rules around political statements.
In December 2022, the FIA updated its International Sporting Code with a clause requiring prior written permission for drivers to make or display "political, religious and personal statements or comments."
Inside UK football stadium with race track behind goal where Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button learned to be F1 stars
Lewis Hamilton, Alex Albon and Norris were among those who criticised this clampdown.
The FIA later clarified that drivers are free to express themselves in their own time, but not at press conferences, track activities or during pre-race procedures.
Meanwhile, Russell joined Mercedes in 2022, after excelling over the course of his three seasons with Williams.
He was involved in a frightening 100mph crash at the Australian Grand Prix last month and remains seventh in the drivers standings.
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