George Russell returns to Williams for the Abu Dhabi GP when Lewis Hamilton is cleared to race

Lewis Hamilton returns to his car for the 2020 F1 final after returning negative tests for Covid-19; George Russell completed press duties at the Hamilton location on Thursday, but will return to his regular seat at Williams this weekend.

George Russell returns to his regular seat at Williams for the Abu Dhabi GP after Lewis Hamilton was cleared to race Mercedes this weekend.

Mercedes said that Hamilton, after his period of isolation in Bahrain, tested negative for Covid-19 on Wednesday and then again upon arrival at Yas Marina on Thursday, meaning the world champion will be back in his W11 for the remainder. of the weekend.

Russell will therefore not have a second outing in the Hamilton seat for Mercedes, where he starred in and nearly won in Bahrain last week, and will instead drive for Williams in the 2020 F1 final.

He tweeted after the news was confirmed: “Glad to see Lewis Hamilton back and fighting fit. I had a great time with Mercedes, but now I’m eager to put into action everything I have learned with my team.

“I’m going to give it my all this weekend, like they do for me week after week.”

Jack Aitken, who replaced Russell at Sakhir, will not be in action for Williams.

Russell, who appeared in the Mercedes team uniform for Thursday’s media day and completed the press conference duties alongside Valtteri Bottas, said he was preparing for the Abu Dhabi GP as if he was going to drive again for the Silver Arrows, but he was also ready to return Williams if need be.

Russell explains the impact of validating Mercedes’ debut

Although Russell won’t have an immediate second chance to impress the world champions this weekend, the 22-year-old made his potential clear last week with his first chance at the F1 final.

Driving the W11 car for the first time, a cockpit he barely fit into due to its 6-square-foot frame, he qualified 0.026 seconds behind Mercedes regular Bottas on pole and then convincingly led the nine-time winner of the race in Sunday’s race before a rare pit- Stop the world champions’ blunder and then a cruel slow puncture leaves the Brit in ninth place.

Russell, whose career has been run by Mercedes since 2016, had already won applause but not points for two seasons at the back of the field with Williams, and the former F2 champion admits that showing what he could do in F1 was important to both of them. him and those who monitor his progress.

“Obviously, as a driver, you always believe in yourself, you always have confidence in yourself. Being at Williams the last 18 months, not even being able to fight for points, deep down you think you’re doing a good job, but never quite. know until you have a chance to try it, “he said.

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A slow puncture late in the race forced George Russell to make a pit stop, ruining his chances of a podium finish in Bahrain.

“I guess for me, having the opportunity for me, for Mercedes, for everyone, has really given me a confidence boost to say, you know what I can do this.

“When I return to Williams, I will return with more confidence, believing even more in myself and as a stronger driver, and I hope that will pay off not only next year, but for years to come.”

Russell’s three-year contract at Williams expires at the end of next season, and the youngster clearly places himself firmly in the frame for a full-time Mercedes seat in 2022.