Yahoo Autos George Russell Will Replace Lewis Hamilton at This Weekend's Sakhir Grand Prix
The Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 team announced today Williams driver George Russell will fill in for 2020 champion Lewis Hamilton at this weekend's Sahkir Grand Prix in Bahrain. The news comes just two days after Hamilton tested positive for COVID-19, forcing him to stay in isolation and opt out of the event.
Very few people are lucky enough to drive for an @F1 team each year. I'm about to get the chance to drive for two.
Unbelievably grateful to @WilliamsRacing and @MercedesAMGF1 for this opportunity.
Thank you all 🙏 pic.twitter.com/x2ZGMWOX8A— George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) December 2, 2020
Though Russell has a contract with Williams until the end of 2021, he's been backed by Mercedes throughout his career, and has long been linked to a possible move to the team, according to Motorsport.com. The two teams were able to strike a deal releasing Russell from his duties with Williams for the weekend so he could sub in for Hamilton and drive the championship-winning W11 Silver Arrow.
“Firstly, I want to say a huge thank you to everybody at Williams for giving me this opportunity," Russell said in a statement. "I might be wearing a different race suit this weekend, but I’m a Williams driver and I’ll be cheering my team on every step of the way.
"I see this as a great chance to learn from the best outfit on the grid right now and to come back as an improved driver, with even more energy and experience to help push Williams further up the grid... Obviously, nobody can replace Lewis, but I'll give my all for the team in his absence from the moment I step in the car. Most importantly, I wish him a speedy recovery.”
Replacing Russell at Williams is the team's reserve driver, Jack Aitken. A current Formula 2 driver with a full F1 super license, he'll be the first driver of Korean descent to make an F1 start.
“I’m absolutely over the moon to have the opportunity to make my debut with Williams this coming weekend and I am extremely happy for George to have his chance too," Aitken said in a statement. "I really mean it when I say I’ve felt very much at home here since I joined Williams earlier this year, so to get my chance to help the team try to achieve that elusive points finish is an extremely satisfying occasion to say the least."
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