RUSSELL REPLACES HAMILTON FOR SAKHIR AS AITKEN STEPS IN AT WILLIAMS

In a move which could define the British drivers Formula One career - reigning World Champions Mercedes have decided to take on Williams driver George Russell as Hamilton's replacement for the upcoming Sakhir Grand Prix.

Russell is part of the Mercedes Young Driver Programme and if all goes well this weekend it's likely that Russell could be a permanent fixture in the Brackley team sooner rather than later.

After almost two years of out qualifying both Kubica and Latifi - Russell has been given the chance to show what he can do in the best car the sport has ever seen. Russell will have tested old Mercedes machinery in previous years.

At the other end of the grid at Williams - they have chosen to take on F2 and Williams Young Driver Jack Aitken who will, like Fittipaldi at Haas be making his F1 race debut at Sakhir. Aitken is currently 14th in the F2 standings with 48 points to his name.