Mercedes returns to Sepang after nine years as George Russell receives a handmade scrapbook from Team GR63 Malaysia.
Fan‑Made Tribute for Russell
Neatly wrapped in a blue folder, the scrapbook contains handwritten notes, sketches, photographs and bespoke messages that fans stitched together at the entrance to Russell’s garage. The driver—dressed in a Mayweather‑style orange jacket—climbed aboard the Mercedes motorhome and opened the thick volume, having never seen so many personal touches in one place.
“Look at the size of this book. It’s incredible. It’s absolutely incredible,” he said, turning pages slowly while the camera captured the tiny turquoise Mercedes hats fans wore, a nod to the team’s colors.
Mercedes Tackles Heat and Tyre Wear
During Friday’s FP1 and FP2 sessions, the Mercedes unit struggled with tyre degradation caused by the demanding Malaysian heat. While the data shows a gradual loss of grip, Russell’s morale lifted thanks to the heartfelt exchange from the crowd, providing a welcome respite before the Saturday start.
Looking Ahead to Saturday
With the refurbished support footed on his back, Russell is set to return to the car for Saturday’s race, while his team wrestles with temperature‑related performance challenges. The gesture from Team GR63 has added a fresh chapter to the season’s narrative at Sepang, emphasizing the renewed commitment from Mercedes on Malaysian soil.
"