Valtteri Bottas could have returned behind the wheel in Baku.

Valtteri Bottas could have returned behind the wheel in Baku.

      Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff revealed that the team seriously considered replacing the ill George Russell with Valtteri Bottas for the Baku round. However, George felt better and the reserve driver's assistance was not required.

      Toto Wolff: "George's result in the race is very impressive, considering the fact that on Friday morning we were virtually certain that Valtteri would be back behind the wheel. George himself told us, 'I'm not sure I'll be able to compete.'

      However, he felt a little better in the morning and decided to get behind the wheel and do a practice. Then he improved day by day.

      In Baku he completed a one-and-a-half-hour race without making a single mistake on either set of tyres and deservedly finished second."

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Valtteri Bottas could have returned behind the wheel in Baku.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said that the team had seriously considered replacing the ill George Russell with Valtteri Bottas at the Baku round.