George Russell endured a persistent virus over the course of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend, which saw him finish second in Sunday’s Formula 1 race. He later revealed that his condition on Friday was so severe that if the race had been in Singapore, he likely would have withdrawn from competition entirely.
Russell missed the FIA press conference and other media engagements scheduled for Thursday due to illness but was able to participate in Friday’s practice sessions despite feeling unwell. Toto Wolff, Mercedes’ team principal, described Russell as “properly poorly,” noting that his condition worsened overnight and remained a challenge each day.
Overcoming Physical Challenges in Baku
After qualifying fifth on Saturday, Russell managed to get some rest despite difficult nights, which aided his recovery. His strong performance on hard tires allowed him to execute an overcut strategy that helped him overtake teammates and rivals, including Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Liam Lawson, and Carlos Sainz, to secure the runner-up position.
Well, fortunately, it was Baku. Even though it’s one of the toughest circuits, mentally and physically it’s maybe one of the easiest,
Russell said.
Today I’m much better. Friday and Saturday, I was really rough. And, you know, had it been Singapore, as an example, I think I probably would have called it a day on Friday, to be honest, and probably wouldn’t have done the race.
George Russell, Mercedes
It’s sort of fortunate timing. And I haven’t been ill for a couple of years, actually, so it just all sort of hit me at once these days, but I’m on the up now.
Russell attributed much of his success to staying out of trouble during the race rather than a breakthrough weekend in pace or performance. He acknowledged the strong efforts of competitors like Sainz and Lawson while noting that others who normally challenge Mercedes made errors or underperformed, creating an opportunity for him to capitalize.
So, obviously, really happy to finish P2 all things considered. But I think the cool temps helped us a little bit, so it’s just good to capitalise on all of those things.
Uncertainty Over Russell’s Participation and Team Response
Wolff confirmed the situation was precarious, especially regarding Friday’s practice sessions when Russell’s fitness was in doubt. The team had Valtteri Bottas, soon to join Cadillac, on standby in case a last-minute driver change was necessary. However, Russell persisted despite his illness, managing to recover enough to endure a demanding race in Baku.
Wolff praised Russell’s resilience and performance under physical strain, commenting on how impressive it was that he completed the race without any mistakes on both tire compounds during a demanding one-and-a-half-hour event.
[George was] very impressive, considering that on Friday morning it was touch and go whether Valtteri would be in the car and it was George himself that said, ‘I’m not sure I can do it’.
And then he recovered a little bit in the morning and decided to be in the car, and then every day he went strong. Then doing a one-and-a-half-hour race here in Baku, not putting a single foot wrong on both tyres, and that was a super merited P2.
Wolff also noted that had Russell found more from his qualifying session, he might have challenged race winner Max Verstappen more effectively. Initial analyses suggested the Mercedes was within a tenth of Verstappen’s pace, indicating a competitive edge that could have provided a tighter contest.
So I think it would have been a race at the front at least – whether it would have been enough for a win, I don’t know. But the car was good on both tyres and his pace was impressive.
The Broader Context and Potential Implications
Russell’s ability to deliver a strong result despite battling illness underscores his determination and physical resilience, qualities essential in the high-stress environment of Formula 1 racing. His struggle during the Azerbaijan GP weekend may prompt further attention to driver health management, particularly during tightly packed race schedules.
For Mercedes, the performance sustained by Russell amid adversity reflects both the strength of their car and the strategic decisions that enabled maximizing race conditions. The team’s experience also highlights the critical role of backup drivers like Valtteri Bottas, who remain ready to step in when health issues arise.
Looking forward, Russell’s recovery and maintained performance may influence how the team approaches driver readiness in potentially challenging environments such as Singapore, where conditions are physically more demanding. His comments hint at a more cautious approach if a similar illness affects him during upcoming events.
