P1racenews AI automatic summary:
George Russell has stated he “probably” would have been sidelined for the Singapore Grand Prix if his Baku illness had fallen over the weekend at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.
George Russell admitted that falling ill during the Singapore Grand Prix weekend would likely have prevented him from participating in the challenging event, known for its tough physical and mental demands due to the long race duration and twisty track layout, exacerbated by the extreme heat and humidity.
Despite battling illness throughout the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend, Russell showcased his skills by finishing in second place after starting fifth, prompting Mercedes to consider his presence questionable before the race, with Valtteri Bottas as a potential replacement.
Russell pushed through his illness to compete and eventually stand on the podium, reflecting on his struggles and mentioning that he would have likely withdrawn from a race like Singapore if the illness had hit him earlier.
The Singapore Grand Prix is notorious for its grueling conditions, with drivers risking significant weight loss due to the intense heat, as highlighted by Russell’s previous experience in the event.
In such demanding races, drivers like Russell and Lewis Hamilton have faced challenges with extreme temperatures affecting their performance and even causing them to miss post-race media obligations due to overheating in the cockpits of their cars.
