Mercedes F1 News: George Russell Blasts "Distracting" Miami GP Drivers' Parade

George Russell has spoken out on the Miami Grand Prix drivers' parade.

Mercedes driver George Russell has spoken out on the Miami Grand Prix pre-race drivers' parade which has had a mixed response from fans, saying that it was "distracting" and that it is not for him.

The pre-race drivers parade consisted of the drivers being announced individually by LL Cool J whilst Will.I.Am conducted a live orchestra to play his new F1 song. As the drivers walked out, some decided to say something to the crowd whilst others just walked to their position. 

Russell finished in fourth for the Miami GP after he started from sixth position on the grid, missing out on a spot on the podium by roughly seven seconds. 

During a post-race interview with ESPN, the British driver explained:

"It is distracting because, you know, we were on the grid for half an hour in all of our overalls in the sun. I don't think there's any other sports in the world that 30 minutes before you go out to do your business that you're out there in the sun, all the cameras on you, and making a bit of a show of it.

"We spoke about it as drivers on Friday night. Everybody's got different personalities. I guess it's the American way of doing things, doing sport.

"Personally, [it's] probably not for me. But you know, that's just my personal opinion."

The next race will be taking place in a couple of weeks time in Italy for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix on 19-21st May.