Mercedes has announced that British driver George Russell will miss the media day for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix because of illness. Russell will rest to recover before participating in the first two practice sessions scheduled for the Baku City Circuit tomorrow.
Mercedes Focuses on Preparation After Monza Performance
The Brackley-based team, eager to build on its showing at the Italian Grand Prix, emphasized the importance of attending all practice sessions to fine-tune their car’s performance. Following Russell’s fifth-place finish in Monza and teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s ninth-position result, Mercedes is pushing to close the gap to its rivals.
“Unfortunately, George won’t be at track today because he’s feeling unwell and resting up ahead of tomorrow’s track action,”
Mercedes confirmed.
Challenges and Strategy Ahead in the Final Third of the Season
Team principal Toto Wolff outlined the context of the championship as it moves into its decisive stages after the European races. He highlighted the competitive fight for second place in the Constructors’ Championship involving three teams and acknowledged the need for improved performances following the Italian Grand Prix.
“With the ‘European’ part of the year now complete, we begin the final third of the season this weekend,”
Wolff said.
“It will be an intense run to the flag in Abu Dhabi, with three teams in the fight for second in the Constructors’ Championship. We lost some ground to our competitors in Monza and know we need to perform better in the closing eight races than we did in Italy if we are to come out on top.”
He also explained the upcoming race venues, noting the start of the ‘flyaway’ races on street circuits beginning with Azerbaijan, followed by Singapore in two weeks.
The Unique Challenge of the Baku City Circuit
Russell described the Baku track as a demanding circuit with a mix of high-speed straights, sharp 90-degree turns, and a narrow, complex castle section. It tests both the drivers and their vehicles intensely.
“The track in Baku is a challenging mix of high-speed straights, 90-degree corners and the tight, twisty castle section. It is a good test for both the car and the driver.” – George Russell, Mercedes
Currently, Mercedes holds third place in the Constructors’ standings, trailing Ferrari by 20 points but leading Red Bull by 21 points.
“The grid is tight, and once again small margins will make a big difference. If we deliver in the way we know we can, then we can be hopeful of a strong weekend fighting near the front of the field.” – Toto Wolff, Team Principal
Looking Ahead: Impact on Mercedes’ Title Campaign
Russell’s absence from media day due to illness is a minor setback for Mercedes as they aim to maximize their performance over the remaining races. With the championship battle intensifying, every opportunity to gather data and prepare at street circuits like Baku is crucial. The team’s ability to recover lost ground from competitors after Monza will shape their prospects in the final stretch towards Abu Dhabi.
