Mercedes boss Toto Wolff hailed a “mega” performance from George Russell in the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, after finishing second despite illness.
The Brit scooped his seventh podium finish of the season in Baku, having started the race in fifth, an impressive feat in itself, given the tight and challenging street circuit.
But Russell was also having to contend with his health, which had been plaguing him across the entirety of the weekend, forcing him to miss Thursday’s media day.
On Friday, Russell’s croaky and hoarse voice was heard over team radio during free practice, causing further alarm.
But despite continuing to feel subpar, Russell managed to stick his W16 onto fifth place on the grid converting it into second on race day, earning praise from his boss.
“On Friday, it was touch and go in the morning,” Wolff told Sky Sports F1. “He himself said, ‘I’m not sure I can make it’.
“Somehow, he recovered, but then overnight, it got worse again every single day. I think it was a big push for him to even drive.
“And then to perform like this, it’s mega.”
Russell said after the race that the difference between carrying on and pulling out of the event was mostly down to the level of physicality that Baku provides, explaining that a more challenging circuit would have likely seen him hand the reins over to reserve driver Valtteri Bottas.
“Fortunately, it was Baku,” Russell explained to media including Motorsport Week. “Even though it’s one of the toughest circuits mentally. Physically, it’s maybe one of the easiest.
“Today I was much better. Friday and Saturday, I was really rough.
“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.
“Fortunate timing. I haven’t been ill for a couple of years, actually. So it just all hit me at once these days, but I’m on the up now.”
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