A hard and fast racer on the track. A young man with a wonderful turn of phrase off it and over the airways.
George has certainly provided a string of unforgettable soundbites since joining the F1 grid in 2019, appealing to fans and bringing new audiences into the sport.
Below are just a few of our favourite 'Russell-isms' from over the years, and a short explanation of their meaning.
[æbsəˈɫutɫi/ /ˈbəzɪŋ]
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Expression of delight. Declaration of delight and pure happiness, often following a performance leaving excitement for what is to come. First used in Belgium 2021. Repeat usages in Hungary 2022 and Silverstone 2024.
[/blˈa‍ɪmi/]
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Expression of shock. Informal, British way of declaring surprise, excitement or alarm at what has just happened. First used Baku 2022. See also 'Crikey'.
[/ˈbɫədi/ /ˈnɔɹə/]
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Expression of frustration. Used to indicate frustration or light anger when not wanting to use ruder words publicly. First use Spain 2023.
[/kɹˈa‍ɪki/]
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Expression of shock. British and polite term for sudden surprise. When written often succeeded by exclamation mark. First used Singapore 2022. See also 'Blimey'.
[/fˈɪdli/ /fˈɪŋɡəz/]
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Description of precision. Term for explaining tasks that require movement and skills of an intricate nature with the utmost concentration, e.g. watchmaking. First used August 2022.
[/ɡʊd deɪ/ /ɡʊd deɪ sɜː/]
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Measured expression of delight. Used to describe a race weekend that has gone to plan and delivered a successful result, e.g. a controlled victory or fightback to the podium. First used Canada 2025.
[/ɡɛt/ /ðə/ /ˈkɛtᵊl/ /ɒn!/]
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Statement of encouragement. Used to put a positive spin on a long wait, for example a red flag or delayed start. Very British origins. First used Belgium 2025.
[/hˈə‍ʊli/ /mˈə‍ʊli/]
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Exclamation of relief. To express great relief having just avoided great danger. First used Canada 2024.
[/aɪ/ /meɪ/ /hæv/ /tuː/ /brɪŋ/ /aʊt/ /ðə/ /tiː-pəʊz/ /hɪə/]
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Expression of acceptance. The realisation that an action that has become synonymous with you may have to be utilised in celebration of an achievement, for example a pole position or race victory. First used Canada 2025.
[/ˈɪfs/ /ˈænd/ /ˈbəts/ /ˈkæɹəts/ /ˈænd/ /ˈnəts/]
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Exclamation of hindsight. Derived from original phrase 'If ifs and buts were candy and nuts, we'd all have a Merry Christmas. Meaning if we always got what we wanted after saying 'if' or 'but' then every day would be perfect. First use Bahrain 2024.
[/æbsəlˈuːtli/ /ɡˈʌtɪd/]
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Expression of disappointment. A way to show bitter disappointment and being upset. Opposite of absolutely buzzing. First used Sakhir 2020.
[/ɛɹˈætɪk/ /mˈænɐ/]
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Unpredictable. Not even or regular in pattern or movement. First Used Baku 2022.
[/ˈɪt/ /ˈɪz/ /ˈðə/ /wˈe‍ɪ/ /ˈðə/ /kˈʊki/ /kɹˈʌmbə‍lz/ /sˈʌmta‍ɪmz/] Phrase of acceptance
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Informal wording for accepting that 'it is what it is.' Even if not the desired outcome. First used Austria 2024.
[/ˈoʊ/ /ˈbəɡɝ/]
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Polite, British, informal saying used to convey annoyance or frustration, can perhaps be used as swear word replacement. First used January 2024.
[/ˈə‍ʊ/ /mˈa‍ɪ/ /wˈɜːd/]
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Expression of surprise. Acronym (OMW). Used to display emotions relating to shock, surprise, or pleasure. Often used as sudden reaction to something you did not expect to happen. First use unknown.
[/tˈuːtlɪŋ/] and [/pˈuːtlɪŋ/]
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Informal present participles used to describe travelling in a leisurely, controlled and non-aggressive manner. First use Monaco 2024.
[/snˈʌɡ/ /ˈæz/ /ˈeɪ/ /bˈʌɡ/ /ˈɪn/ /ˈeɪ/ /ɹˈʌɡ/]
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Expression of leisure. Quaint phrase to express being extremely comfortable, either in physical position or situation. First use unknown, regularly used for F1 seat fits.
[/ðˈæt/ /ˈɪz/ /hˈa‍ʊ/ /wˈiː/ /ɹˈə‍ʊl/]
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Assertive phrase used to highlight one's behaviour or action in positive light. Can emphasises importance or accuracy of outcome.
[/ˈtaɪəz/ /ɑː/ /təʊst/]
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Descriptive expression. Used to emphasise state of tyres in hot and extreme racing conditions. British origins. Note: Tyres do not actually visually resemble that of cooked bread. First used Saudia Arabia 2025.
[/ˈjæbə/ /ˈdæbə/ /ˈdu/]
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Expression of delight. Phrase used to portray extreme delight or happiness. First used as catchphrase of Fred Flintstone. First used in Formula One after 2024 Austrian Grand Prix.

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