Russell will renew 2017 and 2018 testing role with Mercedes

Published: 12:17, 03 April 2019

| Updated: 12:19, 03 April 2019

Lynn-born Williams Formula 1 driver George Russell made a Mercedes guest appearance in this week's two-day post-Bahrain Grand Prix test.

This sudden switch is not as strange as it first appears.

The youngster is a full-time Williams driver on what was announced as a "multi-year" deal starting this season, but he was a Mercedes junior before that and remains closely watched by the title-winning team.

2017 GP3 Series Round 8. Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Saturday 25 November 2017. Niko Kari (FIN, Arden International). George Russell (GBR, ART Grand Prix). and Arjun Maini (IND, Jenzer Motorsport). Photo: Zak Mauger/GP3 Series Media Service. ref: Digital Image _56I1542 (3453189)

Russell will renew his 2017 and 2018 testing role with Mercedes when he gets behind the wheel of its current car today (Wednesday, April 3).

The reigning F2 champion took over from racing legend Lewis Hamilton, who was scheduled to drive yesterday (Tuesday).

Fielding Russell means Mercedes will complete one of its mandatory 'rookie days' as the Briton only made his second Grand Prix start last weekend.

Two of each team's four test days need to be conducted by a driver who has not started more than two F1 races.

It means that if reserve driver Esteban Ocon is going to drive Mercedes' 2019 car during the season, he will either get one day at Barcelona next month or wait until Mercedes participates in Pirelli tyre testing.

On Monday, Renault confirmed its test driver Jack Aitken will take over from Daniel Ricciardo for day two of the test.

Williams has also revealed that Nicholas Latifi will get his first chance to drive for the team on Wednesday, after race drivers Russell and Robert Kubica split Tuesday's running between them.

The only unconfirmed part of the test line-up is Alfa Romeo's Tuesday driver.

It has already announced Mick Schumacher, son of seven-time F1 champion Michael, will drive on Wednesday after making his test debut the day before with Ferrari.

Bahrain F1 test line-up (Tuesday/Wednesday)

Mercedes: Lewis Hamilton/George Russell

Ferrari: Mick Schumacher/Sebastian Vettel

Red Bull: Max Verstappen/Dan Ticktum

Renault: Daniel Ricciardo/Jack Aitken

Haas: Romain Grosjean/Pietro Fittipaldi

McLaren: Carlos Sainz Jr/Lando Norris + Fernando Alonso/Sainz (Pirelli test car)

Racing Point: Lance Stroll/Sergio Perez

Alfa Romeo: TBC/Schumacher

Toro Rosso: Alex Albon both days + Daniil Kvyat (Pirelli test car)

Williams: George Russell, Robert Kubica/Nicholas Latifi

Motorsport Pete Woodhouse