George Russell reveals bizarre reason for black eye ahead of Chinese Grand Prix

March 15, 2026 · Yahoo Sports

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George Russell has revealed how he ended up with a black eye ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix.

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In a video shared by Mercedes, the Briton answered questions as he was driven to the Shanghai International Circuit alongside his partner Carmen Montero Mundt.

When asked if the cameraman could see his eye, Russell explained: "I haven't looked at it this morning, is it still red or not?"

The Mercedes driver closed his eye to show his bruised, red eyelid with a rather large bump on it.

"I actually, I must be getting old," he continued. "I went to the toilet in the night and I walked back with the lights off and I walked into a wall straight on. It was a few days ago. So that was age catching up with me. Bet it doesn't happen to Kimi."

GR 💬 : I must be getting old... I went to the toilet in the night, and I walked back with the lights off, and I walked into a wall straight on...

first his shin, now his eye... we need you to be more careful my guy 😭🤕 pic.twitter.com/6dfe7n5CHx
— h ⋆ ⁶³ (@russellius) March 15, 2026

Russell leads the drivers' standings heading into the Chinese Grand Prix after winning both the season-opening Australian Grand Prix and the Chinese sprint race. Mercedes also secured another front-row lockout for the race at the Shanghai International Circuit.

"Kimi’s pole position is not only a huge achievement for him but a milestone moment," team principal and CEO Toto Wolff said after qualifying. "Becoming the youngest polesitter in the sport’s history is quite something. It is sometimes easy to forget that he is only just out of his rookie season and yet is achieving so much.

George Russell, Mercedes

"He has proved beyond doubt that those who thought he was too young or didn’t believe in his abilities when we promoted him to a race seat, were wrong. I am proud that we had the confidence to make the decision we did.

"For George, it is a shame we had a battery issue and that he could not make the most out of the car. Nevertheless, he did a stellar job in difficult circumstances to make sure we completed the front-row.

"He was supreme in the Sprint, and he’s got strong race pace so he will be a factor in the fight for victory tomorrow. With that said, the Ferraris have looked quick all weekend. We cannot afford to make any mistakes or they will surely pounce. We’re looking forward to tomorrow and the battle ahead."

Photos from Chinese GP - Sunday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

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Alexander Albon, Williams, Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team

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Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

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Alexandra Leclerc and Carmen Montero Mundt walk in the paddock.

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Oscar Piastri, McLaren

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Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

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Lando Norris, McLaren

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Alexander Albon, Williams

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Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing, Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team

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Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls

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Pierre Gasly, Alpine

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Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing

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Felix Lee looks on in the paddock.

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Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team

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Muni He walks in the paddock.

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Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

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Gene Haas, Founder and Chairman of Haas F1

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George Russell, Mercedes, Alexander Albon, Williams

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Fans of Lewis Hamilton

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Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing, Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team, Franco Colapinto, Alpine

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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren

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Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

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George Russell, Mercedes, Alexander Albon, Williams

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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing

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Oscar Piastri, McLaren

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Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing

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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

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George Russell, Mercedes

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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Pierre Gasly, Alpine

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Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

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Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls

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Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team, Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing

Lars Baron / Getty Images

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Lars Baron / Getty Images

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing

James Sutton / Formula 1 / Formula Motorsport Ltd via Getty Images

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

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Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Mark Thompson / Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

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Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing

Mark Thompson / Getty Images

George Russell, Mercedes

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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

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Start action

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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

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Carlos Sainz, Williams

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Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing

Sona Maleterova / Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Lintao Zhang / LAT Images via Getty Images

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing

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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team, Franco Colapinto, Alpine crash

Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team, Franco Colapinto, Alpine crash

Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team, Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes

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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Sona Maleterova / Getty Images

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

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Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls

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Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

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Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Mark Thompson / Getty Images

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