Mercedes are set to replace George Russell for the first session at the Mexican Grand Prix with Toto Wolff handing a chance to one of their budding drivers to impress.
Содержание статьи:
- 0.1 Mercedes are set to replace George Russell for the first session at the Mexican Grand Prix with Toto Wolff handing a chance to one of their budding drivers to impress.
- 0.2 George Russell and Lando Norris take Highway Code quiz
- 1 Max Verstappen shares what he really thinks of engineer Lambiase after Belgium row
George Russell and Lando Norris take Highway Code quiz
George Russell is set to miss the first session of the Mexican Grand Prix later this year after Mercedes announced that the Briton will be replaced by one of their budding drivers. The 25-year-old has firmly established himself as Lewis Hamilton’s team-mate with the Silver Arrows having joined the team 18 months ago, but he will not be in the cockpit for the first free practice session at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
George Russell: The Mercedes star will not be in the car at the Mexican GP for FP1. (Image: Getty)
Max Verstappen has opened up on his relationship with Gianpiero Lambiase after the Red Bull star’s tense exchange with his race engineer during the Belgian Grand Prix caused a stir.
The Dutchman continued his impressive dominance over the rest of the field with an eighth successive victory at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, but Verstappen’s radio messages with Lambiase suggested all may not be well between the pair after some strong words were shared.
Russell has experienced a frustrating season so far with just one podium finish from his opening 12 races, having come home in sixth position in Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix at Spa.
And the Kings Lynn-born racer, who finished above Hamilton in the Drivers’ Championship last season by finishing fourth, currently trails his team-mate by 49 points.
He has also been involved in some questionable moves with Hamilton of late, causing some established names in F1 such as Martin Brundle to criticise his driving. However, Mercedes’ decision to take Russell out of the car has little do with his performance.
READ MORE Lewis Hamilton and George Russell share fear as Mercedes set to hold talks [INSIGHT]
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George Russell: The Briton finished sixth at Spa on Sunday. (Image: Getty)
According to Danish outlet TV2, Silver Arrows will hand Frederik Vesti the steering wheel for the first free practice session in Mexico City in October as part of F1’s young driver programme, with the Dane racing alongside Hamilton.
Vesti is one of the highest-rated drivers in Formula 2, the feeder series that allows young drivers to get a taste of wheel-to-wheel combat at high speed in cars with the same engines.
As it stands, he sits second in the F2 Championship standings behind Theo Pourchaire and stands every chance of following Russell, Mick Schumacher and Oscar Piastri in claiming the title.
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Frederik Vesti: The Danish driver will step into the Mercedes in Mexico FP1. (Image: Getty)
It may be exactly the morale boost Vesti needs after being forced to retire from Sunday’s feature race at Spa before it had even started.
With a torrential downpour making conditions tricky for the drivers, Vesti spun off the track and caused irreparable damage to his Prema Racing car on his way to the grid, leaving him to watch the race from the pits.
But after being reportedly informed of Mercedes’ decision to hand him a chance to impress, the 21-year-old spoke of his delight at being able to live out his dream of driving alongside Hamilton.
“The feeling that I have to drive an official Formula 1 practice session with Lewis Hamilton next to me is absolutely crazy,” Vesti told Viaplay. “And that’s all I’ve dreamed of – ever.”
