George will replace seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes for this weekend’s inaugural Sakhir Grand Prix.

The British driver replaces Hamilton after the Mercedes driver tested positive for COVID-19 earlier in the week.

George is grateful that his Williams team has given dispensation for him to race for Mercedes this weekend.

He joined the Mercedes junior programme after a stellar start to his junior single-seater career, winning the British Formula 4 Championship in 2014, which preceded two race-winning series in the Formula 3 European Championship.

He then became a member of the Mercedes-Benz Junior programme in 2017, winning the then-GP3 series in his rookie year before going on to become Formula 2 Champion in 2018.
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George Russell

“Firstly, I want to say a huge thank you to everybody at Williams for giving me this opportunity. I might be wearing a different race suit this weekend, but I’m a Williams driver and I’ll be cheering my team on every step of the way.

I see this as a great chance to learn from the best outfit on the grid right now and to come back as an improved driver, with even more energy and experience to help push Williams further up the grid. A big thank you also to Mercedes for putting their faith in me.

Obviously, nobody can replace Lewis, but I'll give my all for the team in his absence from the moment I step into the car.
Most importantly, I wish him a speedy recovery. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity and can’t wait to get out on track this week.”

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Free Practice for the Sakhir Grand Prix will begin at 13:30 GMT on Friday December 4.