Mercedes CEO Toto Wolff almost called on reserve driver Valtteri Bottas to replace George Russell at the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Russell missed Thursday’s media obligations due to an illness, though he did take part in all of the race sessions.
Despite not feeling well, Russell came in second place, bringing home a solid run of points and still finishing ahead of his teammate, Kimi Antonelli.
After the race, Wolff said he almost had Bottas step in for Russell.
“Really, really unwell with a fever. On Friday, it was really close — we almost put Valtteri in, because George said he didn’t think he could do it,” he said to the media.
“Then he took some medication, and it got better. I forced him to wear a mask up there, so he wouldn’t infect everyone. And he did.”
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Bottas is currently serving as Mercedes’ test and reserve driver, working a ton around the team, and has a level of familiarity with the car.
The Finn signed a deal with Cadillac recently, becoming a full-time driver for the new F1 team.
On the Sky Sports F1 broadcast, reporter Ted Kravitz pointed out what Bottas may be thinking as he waits for a chance to drive the W16.
“Spare a thought for Valtteri Bottas [Mercedes’ reserve driver],” Kravitz said.
“If George Russell is ill enough not to be able to do the media sessions, or the media sessions on Friday, and if he’s also not feeling well enough to be at the drivers’ meeting on Friday evening – he was given dispensation by the medical delegate not to go to the drivers’ meeting on Friday – if you are Valtteri Bottas, the reserve driver, you might be thinking ‘well how ill do you need to be for me to come in.'”
Azerbaijan Grand Prix Race Results
Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
George Russell (Mercedes)
Carlos Sainz (Williams)
Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull)
Lando Norris (McLaren)
Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)
Alex Albon (Williams)
Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)
Ollie Bearman (Haas)
Esteban Ocon (Haas)
Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber)
Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
DNF: Oscar Piastri (McLaren)