Lewis Hamilton’s unexpected positive COVID-19 test has thrown a spanner in Mercedes’ works, but it is also set to deliver a potentially career-defining opportunity to one lucky driver.
Stoffel Vandoorne and Esteban Ocon are the Brackley squad’s official reserve drivers.
The Belgian races for the German manufacturer in Formula E, but the former McLaren charger – as an active driver who is also virtually acquainted with Mercedes W11 thanks to his simulator work with the team – is also race-ready for a call up.
Vandoorne, who scored his first FE win last summer in Berlin, is currently testing with Mercedes’ electric outfit in Valencia, but could travel to Bahrain on short notice.
Gutierrez’s lack of recent running in F1, or in any other qualifying category, has deprived the Mexican of an F1 superlicence which effectively rules him out a substitute role.
British fans would lave to see George Russell get his hands on a Mercedes and so would many others in the paddock. However, there’s no doubt that Williams would drive a hard bargain to release its young star, although in doing so it could reap a big marketing benefit if Russell later returns to Grove… a Grand Prix winner!
However, Williams needs Russell next weekend – and in Abu Dhabi – to try and improve its fortunes in the Constructors’ championship and leapfrog Haas in the standings, a feat worth a few million dollars in prize money.
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Hamilton tests positive for COVID-19, will miss Sakhir GP!