[ad_1]
Autosport understands that George Russell has become the favorite to replace Lewis Hamilton at the Sakhir Formula 1 Grand Prix, with a final decision scheduled for Wednesday morning.
With Hamilton being forced to drop out of the second Bahrain race this weekend due to a positive coronavirus test, Mercedes has been considering its options on who is best to intervene.
The choice from the start is understood to have been whether to give the chance to reserve driver Stoffel Vandoorne, who will fly to Bahrain tonight after this week’s Formula E test in Valencia, or to strike a deal to take Russell away from Williams.
Vandoorne and Russell are the only two drivers available who have had seating adjustments with the team and have prior experience working with the team, factors that are believed to rule out other options like Nico Hulkenberg.
Russell is part of the Mercedes Young Drivers Program and his three-year contract at Williams was always seen as a way to prepare him for a future with the German automaker’s official team.
However, any move to take on Russell would not be automatic, with the young Brit under a firm contract at his current Grove-based squad.
However, since Mercedes has a good relationship with the Williams team, it is possible that a separate agreement could be reached to loan it. Sources suggest that discussions about a possible deal are ongoing.
Beyond any financial incentive to lend to Russell, an added draw for Williams would also be that the young man, who is committed to the team for 2021, would return to him after his loan as a high-profile driver with solid experience from the front. . car running and potentially strong results under it.
Russell also brings with him his current racing experience and a good understanding of this year’s Pirelli tires.
While Vandoorne has tested extensively in the Mercedes simulator, and will likely have done prep work for this weekend’s race on the outer circuit, he has not raced in F1 since the end of the 2018 F1 season.
Russell is believed to be Mercedes’ preferred choice due to the benefits it will bring him in terms of his long-term development.
But it is understood that a final decision has not been made as talks continue between Mercedes and Williams on the scope of any agreement.
However, it is believed that Mercedes wants a decision to be made on Wednesday morning so that she can properly prepare for the weekend ahead.
If a deal is made for Russell to move to Mercedes for a grand prix or two, Williams is likely to promote his reserve driver Jack Aitken for his F1 debut.
Aitken is scheduled to compete in the F2 season finale this weekend and participated in Friday’s free practice session for Williams at this year’s Styrian Grand Prix.
Autosport has produced a special independent magazine to celebrate our 70th anniversary. All current print subscribers will receive a free copy. To order your copy of Autosport’s 196-page 70th Anniversary Edition, visit: autosport.com/autosport70th
