‘I feel sick’: World erupts at shock footage of F1 driver

Cameras have captured a star F1 driver in a seriously vulnerable state that’s left fans questioning whether he should have been filmed.

Netflix cameras have captured Mercedes Formula 1 star George Russell having a panic attack, in a brutal insight into some of the conditions F1 drivers endure.

The seventh season of Netflix’s Drive to Survive documentary has shown just how far drivers push their bodies to the limit.

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Russell finished fourth at last year’s Singapore Grand Prix, which is renowned as a gruelling evening race held in sweltering heat.

As Lando Norris celebrated a runaway victory, all the drivers struggled with the heat in Singapore as they dragged themselves out of their cars at the end of the race.

Russell was dripping in sweat as he trudged down the pitlane post-race, explaining to a Mercedes staff member how his body had overheated in the car and he was feeling ill.

“Brutal race. All my skin’s like tingling,” he said.

Russell got out of his jumpsuit and hopped into an ice bath, telling his girlfriend Carmen Mundt: “It was 60 degrees in there. I feel really sick.”

George Russell was in a world of pain after the Singapore Grand Prix. Photo: Netflix.

With Russell in obvious discomfort, Mundt shut the door to the room on Netflix’s cameras but their microphone picked up Russell hyperventilating in a seriously vulnerable moment.

He can be heard breathing heavily and a team member tells him: “OK slow the breathing, slow the breathing. That’s it.”

In a piece to camera afterwards, Russell said: “My body totally overheated. I lost four kilos in that race.

“It’s only afterwards when you get out and you recognise that was pretty serious what we all did there.

“I think that sort of hit me a little bit.

“It was like you’re in a sauna, but the sauna’s getting hotter the longer you stay in it.”

The Mercedes drive overheated and had a panic attack. Photo: Netflix.

F1 fans have questioned whether Russell’s panic attack should have been filmed.

One viewer wrote on social media: “Carmen shutting them out says it all they really shouldn’t have been filming that moment.”

A second said: “No that’s not OK at all. This is a total violation of his privacy, I’m so sorry George.”

A third said: “There are certain things that shouldn’t be broadcast on a show. Especially panic attacks. He’s literally having a panic attack and here they are recording it.”

A fourth added: “Netflix is disgusting, as is the entire F1 fanbases treatment of George.”

“Even as a proud George disliker that’s too far, no one deserves a moment like that to be filmed,” said another.

Russell finished sixth in last year’s drivers’ championship, one spot ahead of then teammate Lewis Hamilton.

With Hamilton joining Ferrari, Russell will be the main man at Mercedes this season alongside his new teammate, teenage prodigy Kimi Antonelli.

Aussies in X-rated moments in Drive to Survive

Australia’s Daniel Ricciardo and Jack Doohan found themselves in some seriously X-rated moments in the latest season of Drive to Survive.

Ricciardo and Max Verstappen famously clashed as Red Bull teammates in 2018 but get on like best friends these days, as was evident from a hilarious exchange between the pair in the documentary.

Ricciardo is sitting in an ice bath with Verstappen chatting to him on the other side of a wall.

The Dutchman said: “We used to sit next to each other in the tub.”

Ricciardo replied with a smile: “Oh yeah.”

Verstappen added cheekily: “Maybe tickling the bumhole a little bit,” which elicited a huge laugh from Ricciardo.

He may only be a rookie but Jack Doohan clearly isn’t afraid to make some jokes at the expense of his far more experienced colleagues.

One episode of Drive to Survive focuses on Carlos Sainz and his departure from Ferrari after being replaced by Hamilton.

Sainz was the major domino in last year’s silly season musical chairs and the Spaniard had plenty of drivers waiting for him to make a decision on his future.

Valtteri Bottas said: “I think the big part of the remaining driver market is waiting for Carlos’ move. That’s no lie. I’m sure the cork will pop at some point.”

Sainz was reportedly weighing up contract offers from Williams, Sauber, Alpine and Mercedes — and eventually joined Williams on a deal worth 10 million euros (A$17.1 million).

Jack Doohan has a chat to Carlos Sainz. Photo: Netflix.

Doohan, Alpine’s reserve driver last year, said in a piece to camera: “Carlos is being the paddock sl*t.”

The Aussie had a massive grin on his face in a comment that was clearly very tongue-in-cheek.

A Netflix producer is heard saying: “I was going to say Prince Charming.”

Doohan added: “No, but you know what I mean.”

Doohan is also seen getting a selfie with Sainz at a fan event and asks him: “So, you’re deciding?”

F1 commentator Will Buxton said: “Carlos Sainz signing with Williams is a massive coup for (Williams team principal) James Vowles and he gets two phenomenal drivers in Alex Albon and Carlos.

“It’s potentially one of the strongest line-ups in the field.”

The 2025 F1 season kicks off next weekend in Melbourne with the Australian Grand Prix.

Watch the race as well as every practice and qualifying session live on Kayo Sports, the only place to watch Hamilton’s first official laps in a Ferrari.

Originally published as ‘I feel sick’: World erupts at shock footage of F1 driver