FORMULA 1

GEORGE RUSSELL TO REPLACE LCH AT SAKHIR

Williams Racing can confirm that Jack Aitken will race in this weekend’s Sakhir Grand Prix alongside Nicholas Latifi. The 25-year-old takes the place of the team’s regular race driver George Russell, whom the team has released to drive for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team in Bahrain with Lewis Hamilton unable to race due to a positive COVID-19 test.

Aitken is currently the team’s Reserve Driver and will now make his Formula One debut at the penultimate round of the 2020 season. Aitken is no stranger to the FW43, having taken part in an FP1 session earlier in the season at the Styrian Grand Prix. Alongside his Reserve Driver duties, Aitken has been competing in FIA Formula 2 this year, scoring two podiums and eight other points finishes.

 

George Russell said: “Firstly, I want to say a huge thank you to everybody at Williams for giving me this opportunity. 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. 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. Most importantly, I wish him a speedy recovery. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity and can’t wait to get out on track this week.”

Jack Aitken commented: “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! 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. I also want to wish Lewis well in his recovery, and good luck to George getting the chance to drive the Mercedes this weekend.”