Replacing Valtteri Bottas in the Mercedes and taking the Silver Arrow fanbase by storm has gained George Russell quite the audience. So much so that there are now rumors about the Mercedes driver excessively using his PR team to grab attention. Recently, in The Last Lap podcast, Tommo and Niran spoke with Sponsorship Consultant Tim Silvey.
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He revealed the truth behind the reality of “PR63”
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Tim Silvey talked about how active George Russell is with the products of the brand. The sponsorship consultant also explained how friendly and super enthusiastic Russell has been.
Talking about his experience meeting with different drivers on the grid, he said, “…and George Russell, who is amazing and absolute joy. What super enthusiastic. We felt like he was taking an active interest in the products of the brand we are working with. I have never really had a bad experience to be honest. They are all kind and have done what they have been asked to do.”
During the conversation, he further opened up about his first interaction with the Mercedes driver. He said, “Years ago when he was racing with Lando Norris. I spoke to him it’s been years now. He was dead friendly then, and he hasn’t changed.”
When asked, “Is he the same guy, off camera? Tim revealed the reality of George Russell’s viral tag of ‘PR63’. Silvey said, “Yeah exactly the same, really nice guy. I have been lucky enough to get him to know a little bit.
George Russell is usually the center of attraction for F1 fans on social media. And this is possibly the reason these speculations started in the first place.
F1 Twitter gives its take on George Russell and his PR Tactics
To give you a better idea of the whole situation, here are a couple of tweets from fans who are not happy with the 24-year-old’s supposed ‘PR63’ campaign.
When F1 twitter call George Russell PR63… I get it. The kid is a certified PR plant. The people building his image/brand are meticulous and relentless. You know it’s serious when they are involving his personal life in the perfect image they are creating. 
— ozzie 
(@backmarkersgp) June 4, 2022
PR63 George Russell going hard about the tracks weak points live on @SkySportsF1 
refreshing to hear something other than what feels like written scripts most of the time,especially when other drivers are trying their best to avoid talking negative about the track
— Two jealous
(@abdu1lah_r7) May 8, 2022
Talking stupid things on the scale of 0-10
Helmut marko: 10
George Russell PR63: 9.5+ 0.5
— Cklien (@Cklien9) July 28, 2022
His nickname is PR63 for a reason. “He should be fighting for wins, he’s in a Mercedes” George Russell after Imola 2021…
— Tomassi_1997 (@Tomassi_97) June 30, 2022
george went to check on him when zhou was upside down in his car after the crash. russell is trolled as PR63 bcs he sometimes acts too humble etc for PR. lapping up PR is just boosting his PR like that ig
— thej (@messiornone) September 16, 2022
However, not everyone was hating on the alleged PR tactics. Some even showed support for F1 paddock’s Mr. Consistency.
Albono took 3 races what George Russell took 3 years to do. Absolutely clear of PR63
— tom (@tomisbeII) April 10, 2022
George Russell: I believe Lewis is the greatest of all time, he holds all the records it’s only fair
Zachary from Liverpool: PR63, why doesn’t he hate his teammate, why is he showing respect 
— MERC (@linternal) April 20, 2022
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Who is PR63? Aside from that George Russell is having a fine time in car 63 at just over 200 points for the season so far.
— exPhixer (@exPhixer) September 22, 2022
WATCH THIS STORY: Spotted: F1 Stars Max Verstappen & George Russell Enjoy Miami Heat’s Dominant Surge at NBA Playoffs
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Currently, George Russell is in P4 with 203 points. He will now be looking forward to the next 5 races left in the season. After the disastrous Singapore Grand Prix, Russell will focus on getting a podium at the Japanese Grand Prix.
With the P2 spot at the constructor standing in sight, both the Silver Arrow drivers will aim for nothing less. It will be interesting to see how the remaining season goes for Mercedes.
