George Russell and Kimi Antonelli are used to racing, but this is usually on perfectly prepared circuits. F1 drivers are no strangers to racing other vehicles, though, particularly in unusual scenarios. The two Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 drivers recently ‘raced’ each other in a humorous video promoting the INEOS Grenadier.
The INEOS Connection
Founded by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a car enthusiast and sports fan, the INEOS Group is a behemoth of a company, encompassing chemical and energy businesses, sports teams, a car manufacturer, and even a luxury clothing brand.
INEOS owns a one-third stake in the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team, sealing the deal in late 2020. As such, INEOS branding has featured heavily on Merc’s F1 cars for a while, and they have the team’s drivers at their disposal for promotional purposes.
Racers Wreak Havoc During Filming
During a break in filming for a promotional video, the drivers decide to take the two vehicles on set for a spin. Russell jumps into the Quartermaster, while Antonelli tests the off-road credentials of the INEOS Grenadier.
The skilled drivers take the 4x4s off the beaten track, encountering muddy tracks, water, and loose surfaces, kicking up dirt all over the clean vehicles. When the film crew catch wind of the drivers’ antics, they send out a drone, which catches some pretty epic shots of the pair’s shenanigans.
Glowing Reviews From Both Drivers
The drivers return with the off-roaders after their quick blast, leaving them caked in dirt, which they remark enhances the look, in keeping with the company’s adverts. Both seem very impressed with INEOS’ offerings, as neither the Grenadier nor the Quartermaster put a foot wrong in the video.
It’s definitely worth checking out the video, which looked like immense fun for Russell and Antonelli, and acts as a rebuttal to the notion that automotive advertising is too vanilla nowadays.
