Russell gets comfy in Lewis’ seat
THERE is no replacing Lewis Hamilton but George Russell, on his Mercedes debut, produced an impression that would not have shamed Rory Bremner, qualifying a dazzling second quickest for the Sakhir Grand Prix.
It was all the more remarkable because 22-year-old Russell’s rehearsal time was minimal after being drafted in from Williams when the seven-time world champion went down with the nasty dose of coronavirus that still confines him to his hotel suite in Bahrain.
Rung up on Tuesday at 2am by Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, he suddenly had a new car and environment to acclimatise to, plus the pressure that comes with driving in the Big Man’s seat in the machine that has carried all before it.
Yet on the 2.2-mile outer loop of the Bahrain International Circuit, Russell was merely 0.026sec behind pole-sitter Valtteri Bottas in the other Mercedes and three-hundredths ahead of Red Bull’s own young thruster Max Verstappen.
Not even the calm and confident Russell expected so much. As he put it: ‘Being so close to pole makes it slightly more frustrating, but if you told me four days ago I’d be qualifying second I would have thought you were pulling my pants down. Twenty milliseconds behind pole. I have to be pretty pleased. But ifs and buts, counts and nuts.’
This was a glimpse of a future beyond Lewis. But spare a thought for him, of course, not only laid up but missing a race for the first time since his debut in Australia 14 seasons ago.
Speaking last night, Wolff said: ‘I spoke to Lewis on Thursday and we have been texting since then every single day. I try to leave him in peace because Covid-19 is no fun. I think he is okay.’
Enduringly insecure and insatiable for a man who has won 95 races, Hamilton will surely be rattled to sit this out while Russell so impresses.
But Lewis was in touch on Friday to wish his understudy the best and tell him to look after his car. ‘So far, so good,’ said Russell.
‘Toto said: “Go out and enjoy it. There are zero expectations”. But I always want to do well and be happy with my own performance.’
MICK SCHUMACHER is on the brink of winning the Formula Two championship in today’s final race of the season at Sakhir after maintaining his 14-point lead over Callum Ilott yesterday with a maximum 17 still available. The son of seven-time F1 champion Michael is graduating to top tier with Haas next season.