The Diary: An evening with IWC Schaffhausen and George Russell

On Wednesday night, Gentleman’s Journal was thrilled to partner with IWC Schaffhausen for a very special evening with Mercedes’ George Russell.

On Wednesday night, in the handsome, gilded surrounds of Café Royal down on Piccadilly, Gentleman’s Journal was thrilled to partner with IWC Schaffhausen for a very special evening with Mercedes’ George Russell. In a private, intimate gathering — made up largely of F1 fans and IWC acolytes — George and editor-at-large Joe Bullmore had a candid discussion about life on and off the track.

It was the week before the British Grand Prix, of course, and so naturally we began by talking about the added pressure of being a homegrown talent among the Silverstone faithful — before veering off in some very interesting directions indeed. George, lightning fast behind the wheel, was also quick witted in his succession of stories from the frontline of F1 — including his camaraderie with team partner Lewis Hamilton, his pre-race rituals, and the very best and worst things about life as a professional driver.

George — wrist resplendent in an IWC Portugeiser Chronograph in green rubber strap — also spoke warmly about his long love affair with IWC, which began even before his time as a Mercedes team member, when he was a promising junior with big ambitions. The talk was followed by a lovely meal of burrata and fresh local tomatoes; exquisite salmon; and a mille-feuille as light and life-affirming as the summer evening air.

Joe Bullmore, Joe Kennedy, Lawrence Van Hagen, Bella Buchanan and Gabriel Chipperfield

Joe Bullmore, Joe Kennedy, Lawrence Van Hagen, Bella Buchanan and Gabriel Chipperfield

Grant Wilson, UK Brand Director of IWC

Grant Wilson, UK Brand Director of IWC

Bella Buchanan and Gabriel Chipperfield

Bella Buchanan and Gabriel Chipperfield

George Russell

George Russell

Mikhel Ruia

Mikhel Ruia

Joe Bullmore

Joe Bullmore

Max Chilton

Max Chilton

David Farmer

David Farmer

George Russell

George Russell

Mikhel Ruia, and Buchan Richardson

Mikhel Ruia, and Buchan Richardson

Hugh Laughton-Scott

Hugh Laughton-Scott

Alex Heerema

Alex Heerema

Kydd Boyle and The Marquess of Blandford

Kydd Boyle and The Marquess of Blandford

David Tollemache

David Tollemache

Hugh Dixon

Hugh Dixon

Anna-Nora Bernstein

Anna-Nora Bernstein

Buchan Richardson

Buchan Richardson

George Russell

George Russell

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