The pressure of competing at the top of Formula One is naturally high and one ‘dejected’ driver reportedly let his emotions get the better of him during the British Grand Prix weekend at Silverstone.

For all 22 drivers of the grid, the role of an F1 driver extends far beyond what happens when they are sat in their cars. From media commitments to dealing with partners and sponsors, there are many demands on drivers’ time during race weekends.

One obligation that drivers must fulfill is to accommodate Netflix cameras for the sport’s flagship documentary series, ‘Drive to Survive’.

However, one driver in particular was in no mood to deal with the production crew following a disappointing performance in qualifying and did something that one observer in the paddock had “never seen happen” before.

F1 Driver ‘Not in Good Spirits’ During British Grand Prix Weekend

Following Saturday’s qualifying session, Mercedes’ George Russell could only manage P4. While many drivers on the grid would have been happy with the position.

However, the Mercedes man was out qualified by not only his teammate and championship rival Kimi Antonelli, but also Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc at his home race.

Rosanna Tennant, speaking on the BBC’s Chequered Flag podcast, detailed how a dejected and demoralised George Russell was acting in his press pen following the qualifying session.

Netflix were following him for ‘Drive to Survive’, but as frustration intensified over his performance he asked the camera crew to leave so as not to film his exasperation.

“He felt very dejected in the media pen. He actually asked the Netflix crew to go away. He said, ‘Thank you guys, enough. Thank you.’ I’ve never really seen that. He’s really not in good spirits at all.”

Frustrated F1 Driver Bounced Back Well With His Performance at the British Grand Prix

Credit: REUTERS/Andrew Boyers

Having struggled for straight-line speed throughout the weekend, Russell claimed a hugely valuable second-placed finish at Silverstone. The 28-year-old split the two Ferraris of the victorious Charles Leclerc and third-placed Lewis Hamilton.

Of equal value to Russell as the 18 points that he picked up, though, was the fact that both Antonelli and Max Verstappen failed to complete the race, despite both looking well-placed for a strong finish entering the final stages.

Russell now sits only 25 points behind Antonelli and could be just a couple of races away from taking charge at the top of the Drivers’ Championship, should results go his way.

The season will resume in two weeks time at the Belgian Grand Prix, where Russell might just be in more of a mood to speak to Netflix following his good fortune at Silverstone.

Newcastle United are ready to step up their interest in a number of transfer targets, and they have been told they are at ‘the front of the queue’ for one target.

The Magpies are set for a major rebuild of their squad during the summer transfer window after selling Anthony Gordon to Barcelona for £70m, while Sandro Tonali has joined Tottenham Hotspur in a deal worth a total of £100m including add-ons.

Eddie Howe has already moved to sign Bazoumana Toure as Gordon’s replacement on the wing, and now the Toon are ready to accelerate their move for a new midfielder.

Newcastle ‘Front of the Queue’ for Manzambi

According to the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope, Newcastle United have been told that they are ‘at the front of the queue’ to sign midfielder Johan Manzambi this summer.

Manzambi, who has been described as ‘incredible’, has been one of the breakout stars of this summer’s World Cup while featuring for Switzerland in a midfield role, and Howe has identified him as someone he wants as part of his squad for next season.

Initial talks have been held between the clubs, and while they haven’t progressed as some reports have suggested, there is confidence that a deal can be struck to take the 20-year-old to St James’ Park.

It’s understood that Freiburg’s demands are not a huge hurdle for Newcastle, but there is still some scepticism following the situation with Victor Munoz earlier in the window, where they had a deal agreed only for Liverpool to swoop in and hijack it at the 11th hour.

Man Utd are among the clubs who have a long-standing interest in the player, but the Magpies believe a deal can be completed and are planning to send a formal bid imminently.

Manzambi The Perfect Profile for Newcastle

Howe has made it his trademark to have a team that is high intensity, high energy, and full of players who will run until they drop. The most successful midfield of his career has been combining the strengths of Tonali, Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes in recent years.

Tonali is now gone, and Joelinton’s form is not what it once was, so adding Manzambi to the team shows great initiative to target a young star ready to explode, but also adds someone who fits the manager’s style immediately.

It’s the type of signing that could convince captain Bruno to stick around amid interest from Arsenal, and could help to accelerate their return to the Champions League.

Manchester United’s move to sign Atalanta star Ederson has collapsed, according to insider Djameel.

The Red Devils had agreed a deal with the Serie A club worth £38m including add-ons for the Brazil international, who is representing his nation at the World Cup this summer.

Ederson had agreed a five-year deal at Old Trafford, and was expected to complete a medical and the formalities of his contract once the World Cup was over later this month. However, it has now been claimed that a deal has fallen through.

Ederson Will Not Sign for Man Utd

According to a report on X by Djameel, who is followed by reliable journalists Fabrizio Romano and Santi Aouna and has previous for breaking stories, the deal has now collapsed despite an agreement on all fronts.

It’s stated that Ederson will not be signing for Manchester United anymore, in a huge blow for the Red Devils, who have already missed out on a number of midfield targets in the current window.

United had made Elliot Anderson their top target for the window, but the England star has since joined local rivals Man City from Nottingham Forest in a record £116m deal.

The club were also keen on a deal for Portuguese midfielder Mateus Fernandes from West Ham, but they were gazumped by Tottenham Hotspur, who agreed to pay a fixed fee of £85m for the 21-year-old despite him being relegated to the Championship.

Man Utd Pivoting Strategy?

via Reuters

GIVEMESPORT correspondent Sam Cohen reports that Man Utd’s official line is that they still intend to go ahead with the deal, but should they change their mind then it could point towards a change of strategy.

The club had been keen to add up to three midfielders to their squad this summer following Casemiro’s departure and Manuel Ugarte’s serious knee injury, but having missed out on a number of targets, they may have to pivot and find a way to bring in less midfielders for the same money, with the market demanding bigger fees.

For now, United say the deal is still on, but it’s something to keep a very close eye on in the coming weeks.