Overview

• George Russell skipped Thursday media duties and was excused from Friday’s drivers’ briefing as his condition worsened before improving on race day.
• Toto Wolff called the situation “touch and go,” revealing Russell doubted he could drive and that the team weighed using reserve Valtteri Bottas.
• Starting fifth, Russell extended his first stint and overcut Carlos Sainz to finish second behind Max Verstappen, delivering Mercedes’ first podium since Hungary.
• Kimi Antonelli finished fourth to cap a strong team haul, having earlier covered some press obligations while Russell was unwell.
• Russell said Baku’s lighter physical demands made competing possible and noted he likely would have withdrawn at Singapore, which hosts the next race on October 3–5.