Formula 1: Hamilton replacement in Bahrain: Hulkenberg goes away empty-handed

According to information from “Motorsport-Total.com”, George Russell is the favorite for Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes cockpit at the Sachir Grand Prix. Hopes of German Formula 1 fans that Nico Hulkenberg could possibly drive instead of Hamilton will not be fulfilled. This is also confirmed by “RTL”. A final decision is expected on Wednesday morning.

Hamilton (who has already been determined as world champion) had to announce on Tuesday morning that he cannot take part in the penultimate race of the season because he was infected with the corona virus. Since then, Mercedes has been looking for a replacement driver.

The nominal third man, Stoffel Vandoorne, is flying to Bahrain from the Formula E test in Valencia on Tuesday evening. That he would be in Bahrain was already certain before the developments around Hamilton. That it will also drive in Bahrain is by no means set in stone.

Vandoorne and Russell are the only available pilots for whom Mercedes has already adapted a seat. That speaks against Hulkenberg. Russell (the best choice according to Ralf Schumacher) is a Mercedes Junior, and his three-year contract with Williams has always been viewed as preparation for a move to the Mercedes works team.

Who is in the Williams cockpit?

However, it is not a sure-fire success that Russell will be in the Mercedes next weekend. The Williams team would then have to find a replacement themselves. But according to information from “Motorsport-Total.com”, Jack Aitken is already there.

Aitken has already contested a free practice session for the Williams team at the Styrian Grand Prix in Spielberg. At that time he took 17th place. In the Formula 2 championship, which contests its season finale in Bahrain, he is currently in 14th place. He doesn’t have any title chances there anyway.

Due to the good relationship between Williams and the former Williams shareholder Toto Wolff, it is realistic that a solution for a short-term Russell change could be found between the new owners Dorilton Capital and Mercedes. Negotiations on such a deal are currently taking place.

Vandoorne knows the Mercedes from the simulator and has already tested the 2018 Silver Arrow on the so-called “Oval”, which will be driven on next weekend; but he has no practical experience with the current Pirelli tires, and his last race in Formula 1 was at the end of 2018.

For Russell, a Mercedes outing would be an important milestone in the development of his career, which is why it is considered a variant preferred by Mercedes. According to reports, there is still no final decision as long as the talks between Mercedes and Williams are not concluded. That should be the case by Wednesday morning.