George Russell Reflects on 2020 Mercedes F1 Experience

George Russell has shared that he still has physical reminders from his experience of driving Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes race seat during the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix.

At that time, Russell was with Williams and was called to replace Hamilton after the latter tested positive for COVID-19. He recalled receiving the call on Tuesday, testing the car on Wednesday, and realizing he did not fit comfortably due to his larger size compared to the regular drivers.

In his debut qualifying session, Russell achieved second place, narrowly missing pole position. He initially led the race but faced issues during pit stops, including a mix-up with tires, which ultimately cost him the victory. Despite the challenges, Russell believes his performance in that race helped secure his future with Mercedes.