Wolff reveals Bottas came close to racing in Baku as he praises Russell and Antonelli’s performances

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has admitted that it was at one stage “touch and go” regarding George Russell’s participation in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with the Briton feeling unwell as the event got under way.

Russell skipped Thursday’s media duties at the Baku City Circuit after coming down with 'flu and was heard nursing a particularly hoarse voice over the radio during Friday’s pair of practice sessions.

While he battled through to reach Q3 in Qualifying and then finish a fine second in the race, Mercedes reserve driver – and future Cadillac racer – Valtteri Bottas was on standby to replace Russell if needed.

Wolff, having joked that “flu does good for you” in a congratulatory radio message to Russell, explained during his Sunday press briefing just how ill his driver was at the start of the weekend.

Reflecting on Russell’s performance, Wolff said: “Very impressive, considering that on Friday morning it was touch and go whether Valtteri would be in the car.

“It was George himself that said, ‘I’m not sure I can do it’. Then he recovered a little bit in the morning and decided to be in the car, and then every day he went strong.

“Doing a one-and-a-half-hour race here in Baku, not putting a single foot wrong on both tyres, that was a super merited P2.”

Wolff was also encouraged by an improved display from rookie driver Kimi Antonelli, who pipped Russell to fourth in Qualifying and came home in that position on race day.

“It was a really good rebound after Monza,” said Wolff. “He had such a difficult spell with the European races and, coming in here with a solid P4, running in the front group, that’s something to continue to build on and consolidate.”

Asked what he had discussed with Antonelli after calling the youngster’s performance at the Italian Grand Prix “underwhelming”, Wolff added: “I think we always speak very openly with each other. There’s no such thing as holding back.

“For himself, he was not meeting his own expectations with what happened in Monza, and the driving just wasn’t how he had expected it to be, or how he wanted it to be.

“Here, maybe there was a bit missing in ultimate performance that maybe made the difference between a podium and not, but such a good consolidation in my opinion; it was important to score that result.”

Mercedes’ haul from Azerbaijan puts them second in the Teams’ Championship on 290 points – just ahead of Ferrari on 286 and Red Bull on 272.