George Russell will not participate in the media day activities ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, as the Mercedes driver is currently unwell. With the race weekend set in Baku, Russell’s absence from Thursday’s media commitments places teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli in the spotlight for press interactions.
Russell has shown impressive form in recent races, notably securing top-five finishes and earning a podium place at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Despite his illness preventing him from attending media day, Mercedes confirmed that he is resting to prepare for practice sessions that begin on Friday.
Current Condition and Practice Prospects for Russell
Mercedes announced on social media that Russell is
“feeling unwell and resting up ahead of tomorrow’s track action.”
The team remains optimistic that the British driver will recover in time to be fully competitive during the race weekend.
Baku’s circuit is known for its technical demands and narrow barriers, which leave minimal space for mistakes. Since joining Mercedes in 2022, Russell has consistently performed well at this venue, achieving two third-place finishes out of three races held there.
Contract Status and Team Outlook
Russell’s contract with Mercedes is set to expire at the end of this year, and although no official signing has been announced for 2026, team principal Toto Wolff has confirmed that Russell is expected to remain with the German outfit. This reassurance comes amid the driver’s notable performances, including his victory at the Canadian Grand Prix earlier this season.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Russell’s rookie teammate, has so far trailed behind in terms of results but has taken on media duties in Russell’s absence. Mercedes aims to maintain strong momentum in the teams’ championship as they approach this challenging race.
Significance of Russell’s Status for the Azerbaijan GP
Russell missing media day highlights the importance of managing drivers’ health and readiness, particularly at a demanding venue like Baku. His ability to recover quickly will be closely observed, as his participation is crucial for Mercedes’ hopes of continuing a series of solid results this season. The team’s focus will be on ensuring Russell can deliver competitive lap times during practice and race sessions despite this setback.
Unfortunately, George won’t be at track today because he’s feeling unwell and resting up ahead of tomorrow’s track action. pic.twitter.com/Qmbkny67zc
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) September 18, 2025
