Dressing from the English Countryside to the Formula One Circuit with George Russell

Formula One driver George Russell’s 2026 season has been defined by personal success and pressure. Five rounds in, he and Mercedes-AMG Petronas teammate Kimi Antonelli are locked in one of the sport’s most exciting rivalries, trading championship momentum with every Grand Prix. Russell arrives in Monaco, where he now lives, second in the standings, but the Brit holds a decisive lead in the personal style race. In advance of the Monaco Grand Prix, he spoke with Surface sister brand Dorsia about his personal uniform.

How would you describe your style?

Timeless and understated. Growing up, I looked at people like David Beckham and James Bond—very British, very classic. But my personal uniform depends entirely on where I am.

Why is fashion important to you?

People form opinions before you’ve even opened your mouth. The way you walk into a room, the way you carry yourself, that’s already communicating something. I represent Mercedes, IWC, and myself everywhere I go, and I think about that more than people might expect from a racing driver. Dressing with intention makes me feel better, which makes me perform better.

How has Formula 1 influenced the way you dress?

It put me in environments where I had to think seriously about how I presented myself. I grew up in the countryside with a farming background; fashion wasn’t a conversation. The two places I call home pulled me in interesting directions. Monaco gave me an appreciation for something cleaner and more refined. The UK keeps me honest, a bit more grounded, a bit more rugged.

What are your rules for accessories?

It starts and ends with the watch. Since partnering with IWC, I’ve come to understand just how much a timepiece can shift an outfit: dress it up, pull it back, change the whole feel of what you’re wearing. Watches do more work than people give them credit for.

What’s your go-to timepiece?

If I had to choose one watch for the rest of my life, it would be the Ingenieur Perpetual Calendar. It’s a genuinely classy watch, but you can still wear it on the beach in swimming trunks. It never feels out of place. It’s the one watch I can throw in my bag, and it will be right for whatever comes next.

Are you more minimalist or maximalist?

Minimalist. I find the more you add, the less intentional it all looks.

What are your favorite brands?

Belstaff in the UK, because of the weather. In Monaco, I gravitate toward Brunello Cucinelli and Loro Piana. Ralph Lauren is always in rotation, too. The reality of this life is that you’re moving through so many different climates and occasions throughout the year that you can’t really be precious about sticking to one brand.

Two very different vibes.

Monaco is home, so I get to live in linen and light tones. The UK pulls everything in the opposite direction: boots, heavy knits, layers. It doesn’t feel like two different wardrobes; it feels like two different versions of the same person.

I never leave home without…

My pillow. Every trip, every country, every hotel. No particular brand, it’s just the one from my bed at home. Something about it just resets me.

Everyday shoe?

I’m a farm boy at heart; that never leaves me. Country boots, always. Probably not what people expect when they think Formula One driver, but there it is.