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• Several Formula 1 teams announced driver changes this week ahead of the penultimate 2020 grand prix.
• Lewis Hamilton returned a positive test for Covid-19 this week and will be replaced by George Russell of Williams.
• The biggest news was the return of the Schumacher name to the sport, as Haas announced Mick as its 2021 driver.
This week saw a tsunami of driver announcements in Formula 1. The week began with the announcement of newly crowned world champion Lewis Hamilton testing positive for Covid-19 on Monday.
Mercedes F1 said in a statement: “(Lewis) woke up on Monday morning with mild symptoms and at the same time was informed that a contact prior to arrival in Bahrain had subsequently tested positive. Lewis, therefore, performed an additional test and it came back positive. This has been confirmed by a new test. “
The team announced that Williams’ George Russell will replace Hamilton. Russell becomes the third British driver to represent Mercedes since Sterling Moss and Hamilton.
William’s reserve driver Jack Aitken will replace Russell for this weekend’s race.
F1 driver George Russell of Great Britain inspects the track with Mercedes engineers ahead of the Sakhir F1 Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit. (Photo by Mark Thompson / Getty Images)
Haas has focused on Romain Grosjean’s condition since his fierce accident at Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix. The American team announced that Pietro Fittipaldi will replace the French for the Sakhir Grand Prix this weekend.
The team also announced that it had hired F2 driver Nikita Mazepin from 2021 on a multi-year contract. Mazepin has impressed in the F2 championship with two wins and six podiums.
The biggest news this week was the return of the Schumacher name to the top tier of motorsport. Haas confirmed its driving line for 2021 with the signing of Mick Schumacher for the Ferrari-powered team for next season.
Schumacher’s father, Michael, is the most successful driver in the sport with seven championships. Mick is about to win the F2 championship and said: “I want to acknowledge and extend my love to my parents. I know that I owe everything to them. I have always realized that it would make my dream of Formula 1 come true.”
Vacant seats
Mercedes and Hamilton have yet to agree on a new contract for 2021. Red Bull has also not made a decision on who will partner with Max Verstappen, and Alex Albon is betting on a permanent position on the energy drink company’s team.
AlphaTauri’s Daniil Kvyat is another seatless driver next year and the team has yet to announce who will join Pierre Gasly.
