At the recent Hungarian Grand Prix, Mercedes driver George Russell experienced a tense moment that nearly resulted in an accident with F1 photographer Kym Illman in the car park. The incident, which happened just before the race weekend concluded, highlights the unpredictable nature of the environment around high-profile motorsport events, underscoring the importance of awareness even outside the track.
An Unexpected Near Miss in the Budapest Car Park
Kym Illman, an experienced F1 photographer and YouTuber, shared a lighthearted yet alarming account of the incident on social media. While waiting alongside fellow photographer Richard Pardon to capture photos of Russell exiting his Mercedes, Illman recounted how the driver almost ran him over.
Illman explained the event:
George Russell almost ran me over in the car park!
He continued, describing the situation:
What happened? Let me tell you,
before detailing how George was driving toward them with several passengers in the car. Illman felt safe at first because Richard was positioned in front, but then Richard moved aside quickly. At that moment, Russell caught sight of Illman and briefly accelerated, causing Illman to react rapidly to avoid being hit.
He elaborated:
George is driving towards us with a car full of people and I think, ‘fine I’m safe, because Richard is in front of me’, however, I didn’t see Richard quickly ducked to the side and George has seen me and jokingly gunned the accelerator, just for a millisecond, but certainly got me moving,
underscoring the unexpected nature of the close call.
Amidst the near mishap, Illman managed to capture a photo of Russell in the driver’s seat, showing the Mercedes star’s reaction which was memorable for its intensity. Despite the episode, the photographer maintained a humorous tone about the situation.
Assessing Russell’s Parking: A Unique Critique
After the near incident, Illman did not hesitate to comment on Russell’s parking abilities in a playful manner:
Then he parked his car and I watched him and I’ve got to tell you, I give him a four out of 10 for his parking effort!
This light jab contrasted with Russell’s performance on the actual race day, where his driving proved much more accomplished.
Russell’s Strong Performance at the Hungarian Grand Prix
On race day, George Russell demonstrated his driving skill as he pushed his Mercedes W16 to secure third place, marking his 21st career podium finish. Taking advantage of difficulties faced by Ferrari, he overtook Charles Leclerc on the 62nd lap of the 70-lap race.
Leclerc, however, did not make the move easy. His aggressive defence led to a five-second time penalty for erratic driving, which ultimately benefited Russell. The Mercedes driver also clocked the fastest lap of the day, further emphasizing his dominance towards the end of the Grand Prix.
Following the Hungarian event, Mercedes has closed the gap in the teams’ championship, trailing Ferrari by just 24 points. This improved standing reflects Russell’s vital contributions alongside his teammates in their pursuit to challenge Ferrari’s supremacy.
Looking Ahead: Summer Break and Upcoming Races
With the Hungarian Grand Prix behind them, Formula 1 teams have entered the annual summer shutdown, giving drivers and crew a chance to rest and regroup. George Russell can now take some time to relax, confident that his efforts have strengthened Mercedes‘ position in the championship battle.
The season will resume soon at the Dutch Grand Prix, where Russell and the Mercedes team will aim to keep up their momentum and reduce the points gap further. The Hungarian incident may have been an unexpected scare, but Russell’s determination on the track remains unwavering.
@kymillmanf1 George Russell is a menace! However, I had the last laugh as I caught his dodgy parking efforts and all of the other parking offences in the drivers’ car park! #f1 #f1content #formula1 #hungariangp #motorsports ♬ original sound – Kym Illman F1 photographer
—Kym Illman, F1 Photographer