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F1 Sta Nearly Made Shock Comeback at Azerbaijan Grand Prix

 

The Formula 1 paddock in Baku nearly witnessed a dramatic twist, as one of the sport’s most familiar faces came close to making a shock return to the grid during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. While the headlines on Sunday were dominated by Max Verstappen, who secured his second successive victory, and by podium finishes for George Russell and Carlos Sainz, behind the scenes there was almost a major reshuffle within Mercedes.

 

Russell’s second-place finish was especially remarkable considering the state of his health throughout the race weekend. The Briton was far from his usual composed self, visibly struggling with a severe respiratory infection. His condition was so worrying that it cast doubt on whether he would even be able to take part in the race at all.

 

Russell had already missed Thursday’s media commitments after being deemed too unwell to participate. Across the weekend, his struggles became increasingly apparent. Those listening to the team radio could clearly hear the strain in his voice, while his post-session interviews further highlighted the physical toll the illness was taking on him. By the time Sunday’s chequered flag fell, Russell admitted that simply finishing the race felt like a victory of its own.

 

“I was honestly relieved when I crossed the line,” Russell admitted after securing a podium finish. “The weekend was a huge challenge for me personally. Friday and Saturday were really tough days, and I was uncertain whether I’d even make it to the grid. Luckily, I felt better on race day, but it was still far from easy. If this had been a place like Singapore, with its heat and intensity, I don’t think I could have carried on after Friday. In Baku, I just about managed to push through.”

 

Wolff Reveals How Close Mercedes Came to Calling Bottas

 

After the race, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff confirmed just how close the team came to replacing Russell at the last minute. Speaking to Sky Sports F1’s Ted Kravitz, Wolff revealed that the Briton himself doubted whether he could race.

 

“George was properly unwell,” Wolff explained. “On Friday morning, he told us straight that he wasn’t sure if he’d be able to continue. Each day his condition seemed to get worse, and honestly, it was a huge effort for him to even get into the car. To then deliver the performance he did was quite incredible. It showed real grit.”

 

Had Russell decided to step aside, Mercedes were ready to turn to their reserve driver – none other than Valtteri Bottas. The Finn, who spent five seasons with the Silver Arrows between 2017 and 2021, has been serving as the team’s official third driver for 2025 after losing his seat with Sauber at the end of last year.

 

Bottas’ Return Would Have Come With a Twist

 

If Bottas had been called into action in Baku, his comeback would not have been entirely straightforward. He still carries a five-second penalty from his final race in Abu Dhabi, where he collided with Kevin Magnussen. FIA regulations state that the penalty must be served in his next Grand Prix appearance.

 

That situation means Bottas remains under obligation to serve the sanction when he next takes to the grid in a competitive race. With Russell managing to tough it out in Azerbaijan, the Finn’s penalty will now carry over into his scheduled debut with Cadillac Racing in Melbourne next season. Bottas has already been confirmed as one of the American team’s drivers for their 2026 Formula 1 entry, partnering Sergio Pérez in what promises to be an exciting new chapter for the sport.

 

A Near Miss for Fans

 

Had Russell not pushed through the illness, Bottas’ sudden reappearance would have made for one of the stories of the season. Fans across the globe would have witnessed the Finn back in Mercedes colours, even if only temporarily. While that return ultimately never materialised, the possibility itself underlined the unpredictable nature of Formula 1.

 

For now, Russell’s resilience means Mercedes came away from Baku with valuable points and a podium. But the weekend also served as a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in the sport – and how close F1 came to seeing a fan favourite back on the grid earlier than expected.

 

 

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