– According to George Russell, the viral T-pose of the Mercedes driver in Formula 1 came about rather accidentally. What was originally just a moment of rest during a long photoshoot before the 2023 season eventually developed into one of the most viral moments of the year. The pose quickly spread on social media, where numerous fans imitated it.
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All drivers have to participate in photo and filming days before each season to produce, among other things, material for the intro of the Formula 1 broadcasts. While Russell was waiting for his turn again, he rested his hands against the walls and hung his head. Exactly at that moment, the producer wanted to take a photo of him.
“Ah, the infamous T-pose,” Russell grins in a Q&A video on the Mercedes team’s YouTube channel. “That was for the F1 intro I did in 2023. It was not planned at all. Actually, it was just boredom and tiredness. It was about half past eleven at night. We were in the middle of this long photoshoot, and I just put my hands on the wall and waited for my next turn.”
“The producer then said, ‘That looks pretty cool.’ And before I knew it, the T-pose was invented. So I guess I have to thank that guy. We should find out who directed that day!”
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Due to the enormous attention on the internet, Russell later even began to incorporate the pose into his celebration scenes. After his victory at the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix, Russell struck the pose before jumping out of his Mercedes Formula 1 car.
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Russell started strong in the 2026 season and won both the Australian Grand Prix and the F1 sprint in China. But after some bad luck and strong performances by his teammate Kimi Antonelli, the Brit lost the lead in the world championship. After the first four race weekends, Antonelli now leads Russell by 20 points.
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