Russell to miss media duties in Baku, Antonelli to cover press

Mercedes driver George Russell will not fulfil his scheduled media duties on Thursday ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku after the team said he was feeling unwell and would rest before on-track action, leaving rookie teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli to handle the day's press obligations. The decision, announced in a brief post on X, came as Mercedes and Russell both seek momentum in a turbulent 2025 campaign and amid ongoing contract discussions over the British driver's future.

"Unfortunately, George won't be at track today because he's feeling unwell and resting up ahead of tomorrow's track action," Mercedes said on the social platform, adding that the absence was precautionary and that the team expected him to be fit for Friday practice. Russell, 27, arrives in Baku fourth in the drivers standings and has missed the points in only one of the 15 races this year, with six podiums including a victory at the Canadian Grand Prix.

Russell and Mercedes have been wrestling with inconsistent form across the season. The driver averaged 15.5 points in the opening six races but has fallen to 10.1 across the subsequent 10 rounds, a slump that has seen him slip from a potential fight...