George Russell, driver’s license? The Formula 1 driver – Corriere.it failed the test

Those who are used to going very fast behind the wheel of F1 single-seaters may not necessarily feel at ease on the road, in traffic. Or do not know the discomfort during thedriving license exam. George Russell is an example of this. The Mercedes driver has known the disappointment of rejection during the first exam, when he was only 17 years old. The backstory was revealed by the father, Stevein an interview with the British newspaper times.

As is often the case with most young people, aEven Russell was convinced to pass on the first attempt, but in reality things did not go as he himself had imagined and planned. «On that occasion he hadn’t given up and made quite a mess. He failed his first driving test at 17 because he thought that being a great driver on the track automatically made him capable of driving », Russell senior said.

George, now 25, didn’t take it very well: “He returned home furious, convinced that the examiner was wrong. We had to go back to the King’s Lynn testing center so George could clarify his whereabouts. It didn’t go particularly well… », he continued. Not just him.

Other F1 colleagues have also experienced personal mishaps during the driving test. Like the Ferrari driver, Charles Leclerc, who reminded the Pit Stop podcast of the agitation before the decisive drive: «Turning in the traffic of Montecarlo is not easy. I felt so much pressure, like I went crazy.” Or again Max Verstappen (who took the exam on a Clio): «I didn’t give way on two occasions. I justified myself by explaining that the other cars were still far enough away and there was no point in stopping. Luckily the instructor believed me.’ Finished? For nothing. We must not forget Nico Rosberg: the 2016 world champion took a long time to get his driving license. In fact, before reaching that coveted goal, he was accompanied to the circuit by team members. In short, certain misadventures can happen to anyone.