[ad_1]
Lewis Hamilton is currently in isolation, the seven-time world champion tested positive for Covid-19. His deputy George Russell convinces with his performance in the Mercedes.
The 2020 season is coming to an end and Lewis Hamilton still lacks a contract for next year. The Briton wanted to focus first on winning his seventh title crown, with which he was able to catch up with record world champion Michael Schumacher. Hamilton won the battle for overall victory in Istanbul with his 94th GP in Istanbul. But the extension of the contract has not yet been completed.
The corresponding negotiations have started, as confirmed by the director of Mercedes Motorsport, Toto Wolff. But the positive corona test that Hamilton got this week ensures a forced breakout. Talks will have to wait until the 35-year-old has survived the infection, emphasized the Viennese on the edge of the Bahrain International Circuit.
“We know we have to do that, we are both aware of that, but the most important thing now is that he recovers and tests negative for Covid-19 again,” Wolff warned in Bahrain. Then we will meet or communicate by videoconference to implement the relevant signatures ”.
The 48-year-old said Hamilton’s replacement George Russell got off to a good start on the penultimate race weekend with two best times in the first two practice sessions. The market value of the old and new champions does not suffer from the good performance of the Mercedes junior, he stressed.
“We know exactly what we have in Lewis and he also knows what he has in our team. We would never use this situation in negotiations, and neither would he. I have the utmost respect for his person and his ability, and whatever happens this weekend and maybe the next one will not affect the talks, “said Wolff.
2. Training, Sakhir
1. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, 54.713 seconds
2. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, +0.128
3. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Racing Point, +0,153
4. Esteban Ocon (F), Renault, +0,227
5. Alex Albon (T), Red Bull Racing, +0.323
6. Daniil Kvyat (RUS), AlphaTauri, +0 355
7. Lance Stroll (CDN), Racing Point, +0.391
8. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Renault, +0.411
9. Pierre Gasly (F), AlphaTauri, +0.420
10. Carlos Sainz (E), McLaren, +0.545
11. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Mercedes, +0.608
12. Kimi Räikkönen (FIN), Alfa Romeo, +0.771
13. Antonio Giovinazzi (I), Alfa Romeo, +0.820
14. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, +1,025
15. Nicholas Latifi (CDN), Williams, +1,071
16. Sebastian Vettel (D), Ferrari, +1,117
17. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, +1,318
18. Pietro Fittipaldi (BR), Haas, +1 397
19. Jack Aitken (GB), Williams, +1,547
20. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, there is no time
1. Formation, Sakhir
1. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, 54.546 seconds
2. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, +0.176 seconds
3. Alex Albon (T), Red Bull Racing, +0 265
4. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Mercedes, +0 322
5. Daniil Kvyat (RUS), AlphaTauri, +0 465
6. Pierre Gasly (F), AlphaTauri, +0.620
7. Esteban Ocon (F), Renault, +0,727
8. Sebastian Vettel (D), Ferrari, +0.735
9. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Renault, +0.833
10. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, +0.903
11. Lance Stroll (CDN), Racing Point, +1,012
12. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Racing Point, +1,170
13. Carlos Sainz (E), McLaren, +1,211
14. Kimi Räikkönen (FIN), Alfa Romeo, +1 237
15. Antonio Giovinazzi (I), Alfa Romeo, +1,312
16. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, +1,532
17. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, +1,584
18. Nicholas Latifi (CDN), Williams, +2,218
19. Pietro Fittipaldi (BR), Haas, +2 531
20. Jack Aitken (GB), Williams, +2,641
