George Russell’s podium in Baku wasn’t just about speed—it was proof that resilience can carry a driver as far as raw pace. Struggling with illness all weekend, the Mercedes driver summoned one of his grittiest performances to finish second in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, securing the team’s first top-three result in two months. Teammate Kimi Antonelli added to the celebrations with fourth place, giving Mercedes its strongest combined result since June’s Canadian Grand Prix.
A Weekend of Survival for Russell
Russell’s road to that podium was anything but straightforward. By Thursday, he was already feeling unwell and had to withdraw from media day. On Friday and Saturday, he skipped the drivers’ briefing and other commitments, conserving every ounce of energy for race day. Expectations were modest; many doubted whether he’d have enough in the tank to attack. Instead, he delivered a drive filled with poise and precision.
“I was pretty glad when I saw the chequered flag,” Russell said afterwards, still visibly drained but smiling. “Fortunately, I felt much better today than on Friday and Saturday. Now I’m looking forward to a bit of rest. This result is massive for us in the fight with Ferrari in the Constructors’ standings.”
Calm Amid the Chaos in Baku
That fight remains finely balanced, and Baku proved a well-timed swing in Mercedes’ favor. The weekend itself was chaotic—qualifying produced six red flags, jumbling the order and creating opportunities for those who could stay calm under pressure. Carlos Sainz started ahead of Russell and looked solid in the early going, while Russell quietly managed his car, his tires, and his energy levels. The turning point came when Mercedes stretched Russell’s first stint, giving him a chance to leapfrog Sainz through an overcut strategy. When he rejoined the track ahead of the Ferrari, the podium was within reach.
Russell’s performance wasn’t showy, but it was disciplined in a way that mattered most. “It wasn’t fireworks,” he reflected. “It was about keeping it clean, staying out of trouble, and doing the job when others made mistakes. Carlos drove brilliantly, but I knew I had to bring my very best to get past him.”
Antonelli’s Growing Confidence
For Mercedes, the sight of Russell back on the podium carried more weight than the trophy itself. The team had been stuck in a rut since Hungary, with questions mounting over their progress during a long rebuild. This result was a timely reminder that their project is slowly gaining traction.
Antonelli added his own layer of optimism. The teenager has generated plenty of buzz in his rookie season, but in Baku he delivered one of his most complete performances yet. Running behind Sainz for much of the closing stages, he flirted with DRS range and the possibility of a podium before dirty air blunted his charge.
“I was really hoping to sneak onto the podium—it felt close,” Antonelli admitted. “Once I got behind Carlos, though, the dirty air made it tough to hold that pace. Still, fourth is strong, and the points gained over Ferrari are what really matter.”
Momentum in the Constructors’ Battle
His fourth place, combined with Russell’s measured brilliance, paints a picture of an improving team. The blend of Russell’s maturity and Antonelli’s youthful ambition may not yet be enough to unsettle Red Bull at the very top, but it could tilt the balance in the duel with Ferrari for second place in the Constructors’ Championship. Team boss Toto Wolff has asked for patience, and in Baku, at least, the patience looked justified.
As Sunday evening settled over the Caspian coast, Russell sipped water during interviews, looking every bit the exhausted but satisfied racer. His performance summed up Mercedes’ wider journey: making progress through grit, steady improvement, and a refusal to give in when circumstances aren’t perfect.
A Podium That Felt Like a Victory
Formula One is rarely about instant glory. More often, it’s about grinding through setbacks, finding small gains, and celebrating the rare victories of persistence. For Russell and Mercedes, Baku was one of those moments: a podium for the driver, renewed confidence for the team, and a reminder that even when Red Bull seems untouchable, the battle just behind is alive with promise.
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