Photo: Race Pictures

Wolff admits Russell's participation in Baku was questioned due to illness

20:37, 21 Sep

byOlly Darcy

There was plenty of positivity throughout the Mercedes paddock in Baku as George Russell, Kimi Antonelli and Toto Wolff recap on a "mega" Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

It was touch-and-go whether he'd even be able to drive on Friday and Saturday

- Toto Wolff on George Russell

George Russell took his seventh podium of 2025 in Baku | Photo: Race Pictures

The German team made a return to second place in the drivers' standings thanks to a P2 finish for Russell, while Antonelli just missed out on the podium.

Russell's P2 finish at the Baku City Circuit was his seventh podium of the 2025 season, taking second place after struggling with illness throughout the race weekend.

"That was a strong weekend for us as a team, and we come away from Azerbaijan with a good result," Wolff explained.

"It felt good to get back on the podium in P2 and for Kimi to bring home solid points in P4.

"Kimi did a great job to get past [Liam] Lawson. He will use this weekend to take momentum into the final seven races.

"George, meanwhile, drove a fantastic race; he's been suffering with illness all weekend, and it was touch-and-go whether he'd even be able to drive on Friday and Saturday. It was a big push from him, and to perform like this was mega," the team principal and CEO concluded.

Drivers react after regaining P2

Russell capped off a tumultuous weekend by earning his first podium since the Hungarian Grand Prix, and this weekend in Baku is one he will be happy to see the back of.

"I am really happy to be back on the podium. It's been a tough run of races recently, and I also have not felt well this weekend," the Brit stated.

"That made today even more challenging than it could have been, so I am very pleased to finish P2. I was pretty glad when I saw the chequered flag!

"Hopefully, we can build on this result over what is sure to be a tight battle across the final seven races of the season."

Antonelli found his way back to the front of the grid after amassing just three points across the last six Grands Prix. However, the Italian was not 100% happy with his P4 finish and 15 championship points.

"Today was a much better Grand Prix than I've had in recent races. That said, I am still slightly disappointed that I wasn't able to get myself on the podium," stated the 19-year-old.

"We were closing in on Carlos [Sainz] in the final few laps, but I just couldn't quite find the pace to get within DRS range and then attempt an overtake. He did a great job, so congratulations to both him and Williams.

"Whilst I was hoping for more, today was still a decent result and with George in second, a good day for us as a team. We gained a lot of points on Ferrari, which is a positive and moved back into second in the Constructors' Championship."

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