Formula 1 is an intense sport. With the amount of focus and concentration required to get through just one lap, let alone for an entire race, nothing can distract F1 drivers once their helmets are on. But because the pressure goes up a notch inside their cockpits, the best way to let off steam and unwind is to engage in something fun. And what better way than to prank your teammate? Well, Lewis Hamilton wouldn’t agree with that. While he has the upper hand on his teammate George Russell in the championship battle this season, he isn’t too intent on instigating an off-track prank war.

Although Hamilton and Russell get along well, the seven-time champion stays wary of his 25-year-old youngster teammate. In a media event during one of the recent race weekends, the duo was asked if they pranked each other. Russell replied, “Not yet. I’ve heard some rumors like Checo [Perez] and his friends prank each other by putting tomato sauce in their beds and itching powder and stuff like that.” Hamilton couldn’t pass up this opportunity to confess and said, “I was thinking about putting itching powder in your underwear.”

While Russell was laughing this confession off, glad he didn’t have to be on the receiving end of that prank, Hamilton continued, “I thought that’d be hilarious, but I’m never really down for what’s going to come back. So I just don’t bother.” As good as Hamilton might be at doling out pranks, he’s not one who would want to endure the consequences, which is why he strays from pulling pranks too often.

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That’s not to say that he’s never pranked Russell and his team just because he doesn’t like the repercussions. Because he has, and that was broadcast to the entire world.

Lewis Hamilton did actually pull an underwear prank on George Russell

Nothing represents being British more than having something with a Union Jack on it. And George Russell is as British as one could get. To set it in stone, Hamilton decided to gift Russell something he would never get rid of. In an episode of Drive to Survive’s fifth season, Russell revealed Hamilton gifted him and the Mercedes team underwear with the British Flag printed on it.

Russell showed the underwear to the crew and said, “Lewis said, ‘I got you a present.’ He got a pair for everyone in the team.” As much as Russell might have appreciated that gift when Hamilton gave it to him, he didn’t seem to show his appreciation in front of the camera. He added, “Not too sure I’ll be wearing them anytime soon.”

Although Lewis Hamilton pulled that prank in 2022, do you think Russell will get back at him anytime soon? Or has he already gotten to repay the favor?

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