George Russell: Lewis Hamilton says Mercedes replacement 'did an amazing job' in Bahrain

Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton believes that George Russell did more than enough to make an impression during his Mercedes debut at last weekend’s Sakhir Grand Prix. The 22-year-old was drafted in to replace the seven-time title winner, who was ruled out of the event after testing positive for coronavirus.

Russell finished ninth but was leading the pack for much of the race at the Bahrain International Circuit, seeing his efforts made redundant by a pit-stop blunder followed by an unfortunate slow puncture ten laps before the chequered flag.

Hamilton was declared fit to return to the track earlier this week after returning a number of negative coronavirus tests, meaning Russell will take up his usual seat at Williams for Sunday’s final race of the season in Abu Dhabi.

“It felt like a first day back to school kind of thing,” Hamilton told Sky Sports after Friday’s practice sessions. “So it definitely took a minute to get back used to it for the first session, and then the second one, I think I was still getting my bearings, but not too bad.”

When quizzed on Russell’s performance as his understudy at Mercedes, Hamilton admitted that the Williams man impressed him during his stint in the cockpit.

JUST IN: George Russell shuts down Valtteri Bottas Mercedes rumours

“I think George did an amazing job, and I think everyone knows that,” he continued.

“I think it was definitely odd [to miss the race]. From my 27 years of racing, I’ve never missed a race. So yeah, one day, I’ll write a book about it,” he joked.

Hamilton could only manage fifth in Friday morning’s FP1 session before he was pipped in FP2 by team-mate Valtteri Bottas, who beat the world champion’s best lap time by two-tenths of a second.

With both of this year’s world titles wrapped up by Hamilton and Mercedes, the Stevenage-born driver added that his main goal this weekend is to enjoy himself, claiming that his team has nothing more to prove this season.

DON’T MISS

“I just want to come here and enjoy it this weekend and enjoy what I do,” he said. “It’s been a huge amount of work from everyone back at the factories, and it’s been a privilege to race with them this year.

“So we don’t have anything to prove this weekend. I don’t feel like I have anything to prove. Just here to have some fun.”

Sunday’s race at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit will get underway at 1.10pm GMT as Mercedes look to close out another successful campaign with victory in the final round.

source: express.co.uk