George Russell Issues Emotional Health Update After Po…read more
Mercedes Formula 1 driver George Russell has provided a health update following his podium finish at the 2025 Miami Grand Prix, where he finished third behind the dominant McLaren duo. Despite his success on the track, the British driver was noticeably absent from the traditional post-race press conference due to feeling unwell.
Russell, who has now earned his fourth podium of the season, delivered a solid performance in the scorching Miami conditions. Although he was unable to match the pace of the McLarens—Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri—Russell managed to finish ahead of reigning world champion Max Verstappen. Verstappen failed to score in the sprint race and fell further behind in the standings, which has allowed Russell to close the gap. He now sits just six points behind the Red Bull driver in the Drivers’ Championship.
After the race, Russell spoke with Sky Sports F1 reporter Rachel Brookes, where he revealed he had been suffering from a stomach issue in the closing stages of the Grand Prix. “I felt like I did a really strong race today,” said the 27-year-old Brit. “But I’m feeling really sick now, actually. The last 10 laps I had a really bad stomach cramp, and now I’m struggling to even stand. My stomach is quite upset, but I’m really happy with finishing P3.”
Russell’s physical condition after the race led him to skip the official FIA press conference, which usually features the top three finishers. As a result, only Lando Norris—who claimed his fourth win of the season—and teammate Oscar Piastri were present to speak to the media. Mercedes later confirmed that Russell had opted out of the appearance for “medical reasons.”
Despite his health setback, Russell remained positive about the outcome and his overall form so far this season. “I’m really pleased with how the result ended up,” he commented in a separate post-race statement. “Obviously I’ve been really struggling this weekend, but I always try and remind myself, even after a good qualifying, it doesn’t mean anything—and after a bad qualifying, it also means nothing.”
Russell will now have a two-week break before the Formula 1 calendar moves to Imola for the seventh round of the 2025 season. The Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix will be another crucial opportunity for him to keep up the pressure on both the McLaren duo and Verstappen in the title race.
Russell’s consistency this season has been a bright spot for Mercedes, who have faced stiff competition from the resurgent McLaren team and the reigning champions at Red Bull. His ability to score podiums even on weekends where he is not at his physical best has further cemented his reputation as one of the most resilient and talented drivers on the grid.
As fans and the F1 paddock await further updates, it’s expected that Russell will recover in time for the next race. Mercedes will certainly be hoping that he returns to full health, as the team continues its push to challenge both McLaren and Red Bull in the Constructors’ standings.
For now, Russell’s third-place finish in Miami stands as another testament to his grit and determination—an impressive result made even more commendable given the physical challenges he faced in the final laps of the race. All eyes will be on Imola to see if he can maintain his strong momentum and perhaps secure an even higher spot on the podium.
