George Russell replaces covid-19 infected Lewis Hamilton during Sakhir GP

Published on 02 December 2020 by Bryan van Berlo

George Russell will replace Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton during the Sakhir Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion tested positive for the coronavirus at the beginning of this week and is therefore unable to participate in the race weekend in Bahrain. Formula 2 driver Jack Aitken will in turn take over the vacant spot from Russell, who - like Pietro Fittipaldi as a replacement for Romain Grosjean at Haas - will make his Formula 1 debut this weekend.

“Firstly, I want to say a huge thank you to everybody at Williams for giving me this opportunity”, says Russell. “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. A big thank you also to Mercedes for putting their faith in me. 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.”

Jack Aitken is also very much looking forward to the race weekend in Bahrain, which will take place on the alternative layout of the track: “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”, sais the 25-year-old athlete. “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. I’ll be doing all I can to prepare in the coming days, but truthfully, I feel like I have been ready since Melbourne.”