Russell reveals how conversation with tennis star Djokovic inspired him as he pushes for F1 title chance

George Russell has given an insight into how a conversation with tennis star Novak Djokovic inspired him, as he looks to continue racing into his 30s and 40s and be ready to fight for a World Championship whenever the time comes.

Djokovic remains one of tennis’ most successful and decorated players at 38 years old, with the Serbian having taken 100 singles titles as well as holding the record for the most weeks (428) spent as world No. 1 in the Association of Tennis Professionals’ (ATP) rankings.

While Russell is still in the relatively early days of his own career at the age of 27, the Briton spoke during an appearance on the UNTAPPED podcast about the importance of looking after himself now in order to preserve his performance level in the years ahead.

“I had a really good conversation with Novak Djokovic about human performance and what he’s doing currently, but [also] what he was doing in his 20s,” Russell explained.

“He said to me, when he was in his 20s, he felt that he could comfortably miss a day in the gym or a day here or a day there, and it wouldn’t affect him. But he didn’t, and he’s so grateful for that now because he thinks the work he put in during those years is allowing him to continue to play at such a high level into his late 30s.

“Formula 1 isn’t as brutal on the body as let’s say tennis – it’s different, because you don’t have that constant impact on your legs – but I want to be here well into my 40s and when I see what [Fernando] Alonso’s doing, that gives me inspiration that I can do that.”

Russell admitted that he felt even more inspired to focus on this goal when he learned that Michael Schumacher was 31 years old when he won his first World Championship as a Ferrari driver in 2000, a feat that led to a run of consecutive titles through to the end of 2004.

“You think of Schumacher and Ferrari as just domination, but his first championship with Ferrari was in his 30s, so it’s quite interesting,” the Mercedes driver said. “That’s what I’ve got to tell myself to stay motivated! And telling myself it will come at some point.

“We don’t have the fastest car today, but it might be next year, it might be in five years’ time, it might be in four years’ time, it might be in 10 years’ time.

“But my dream is to be a World Champion, and I’m working every day to make sure I’m ready, because I just don’t know when that time will come.”

Russell currently sits in fourth place of the Drivers’ Standings ahead of the second half of the season getting underway, while Mercedes are holding P3 in the Teams’ Championship.