Sakhir Grand Prix: George Russell narrowly misses out on dream pole as Valtteri Bottas ends qualifying quickest

• Sakhir Grand Prix 2020: What time does the race start, what TV channel is it on and what are the odds?​

• Just how good is Mick Schumacher? Son of seven-time F1 champion Michael has a lot to live up to​

British driver George Russell narrowly missed out on a dream pole after he was edged to top spot by Valtteri Bottas for Sunday's Sakhir Grand Prix.

Russell, 22, deputising for Lewis Hamilton following the seven-time world champion's positive Covid-19 test, finished only 0.026 seconds slower than Bottas in the other Mercedes.

Russell improved with his final run under the lights of the Sakhir Circuit, but he could not do enough to usurp the Finn. Red Bull's Max Verstappen will line up in third, just 0.056 sec behind Bottas. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc finished fourth.

Hamilton has dominated this season, winning 11 of the 15 rounds, but his enforced absence here – the first Formula One qualifying session staged without the record-breaking Briton since the season-ending 2006 Brazilian Grand Prix  has made for an unpredictable affair.

Russell, a Williams driver by day, was handed a fairy-tale call-up after Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff called on him to fill Hamilton's championship-winning cockpit.

And the driver from King's Lynn in Norfolk has impressed, topping both practice sessions here on Friday, before only just missing out on pole.

"It has been incredibly tense with so much to learn and getting use to the car," said Russell. "It felt really alien to begin with and it is a different way to drive. I needed to relearn how to drive this car fast.

"I was happy to get through to Q3 after final practice, and if you told me last week I would qualify second, I wouldn't have believed you.

"Valtteri has pushed Lewis a huge amount in qualifying over the years and we know how great Lewis is so to be just behind Valtteri with three days preparation, I am pleased.

"I have got nobody in front of me, which I have not experienced for a long time, so it is going to be tricky. I will give it everything I have got."

The sport is back in Bahrain for a second race in as many weekends but a new configuration of the Sakhir track is being used.

Registering at just 2.2 miles and effectively featuring only six corners, Bottas' 53.37-second lap was the lowest since Niki Lauda put his Ferrari on pole for the French Grand Prix in Dijon 36 years ago in 58.79 seconds.

Alexander Albon's Red Bull future remains in doubt and a poor qualifying performance here will come as another blow to the London-born Thai. Albon was dumped out in Q2, finishing just 12th one place ahead of Sebastian Vettel whose Ferrari career has long since fizzled out. Britain's Lando Norris also endured an unusually poor evening, finishing 15th.

Jack Aitken, the Englishman making his grand prix debut here as Russell's deputy finished 18th. Aitken, 25, will start Sunday's race ahead of 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen and Pietro Fittipaldi.

Fittipaldi, the grandson of double world champion Emerson Fittipaldi, qualified last. The 24-year-old Brazilian is standing in for Romain Grosjean following his terrifying 140mph fireball inferno in last weekend's race in Bahrain.

Grosjean suffered burns to his hands in the extraordinary accident but remains hope he will be able to complete his career with one final appearance in Abu Dhabi.

Meanwhile double world champion Fernando Alonso has defended his inclusion in a Formula One 'young driver' test at the age of 39, saying he needed laps under his belt before his comeback next year.

The governing FIA has given the Spaniard a dispensation to participate in the post-season test in Abu Dhabi on December 15, upsetting some rival teams.

• Fernando Alonso: 'The whole environment of F1 is so extreme, you can't find that elsewhere'

Alonso last raced for McLaren in 2018 and said he needed every kilometre before he returns to a Renault team renamed as Alpine. "I know there are a lot of talks about me. I am happy that rival teams are so worried for a test that I am just getting up to speed," he told Sky Sports.

"They can be more relaxed because I will not develop anything, just some kilometres for me."

Alonso pointed out that former F1 drivers Robert Kubica and Sebastien Buemi would also be taking part for Alfa Romeo and Red Bull respectively – although neither will be racing next year – and there was "not much talk about those guys".

McLaren's Norris said on Thursday Alonso should not be allowed to take part in the test. "He’s double my age pretty much so that must make me extremely young," said the 21-year-old Briton.

Positions after Qualifying

1. Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Mercedes GP 53.377secs

2. George Russell (Gbr) Mercedes GP 53.403

3. Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull 53.433

4. Charles Leclerc (Mon) Ferrari 53.613

5. Sergio Perez (Mex) Racing Point 53.790

6. Daniil Kvyat (Rus) Scuderia AlphaTauri 53.906

7. Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) Renault 53.957

8. Carlos Sainz (Spa) McLaren 54.010

9. Pierre Gasly (Fra) Scuderia AlphaTauri 54.154

10. Lance Stroll (Can) Racing Point 54.200

11. Esteban Ocon (Fra) Renault 53.995

12. Alexander Albon (Tha) Red Bull 54.026

13. Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Ferrari 54.175

14. Antonio Giovinazzi (Ita) Alfa Romeo Racing 54.377

15. Lando Norris (Gbr) McLaren 54.693

16. Kevin Magnussen (Den) Haas F1 54.705

17. Nicholas Latifi (Can) Williams 54.796

18. Jack Aitken (Gbr) Williams 54.892

19. Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Alfa Romeo Racing 54.963

20. Pietro Fittipaldi (Bra) Haas F1 55.426

---

06:32 PM

Okay, that is it from me today

Very interesting day today and hopefully the same tomorrow. A few surprise results, three cars in it for the race. Russell has done brilliantly so far but tomorrow is another challenge. 87 laps. He's starting on the front row, Bottas ahead and a quick Max Verstappen behind. The race starts at 5.10pm so we'll be here with coverage from around 4. Thanks for joining me. 

---

06:26 PM

Toto Wolff on Russell's performance

I'm happy with the result. It's quite interesting because they [George and Lewis] are so different characters. George is equally calm but he's much more chatty. He's quite serious, you would think he's a finance guy. He's settling well.. he doesn't really fit into the car. I think he's settled in well considering the circumstances. I'm happy with his performance. 

---

06:18 PM

That takes George Russell's F1 qualifying record to 36-1

The first time he has been out-qualified by a team-mate since he started in F1. Only by 0.026s, though. I thought he might have had it for a minute but still, that's a sterling effort. Good effort from Jack Aitken, too, on debut, to be within a tenth of Latifi and with a bit of time in the bag, too. 

---

06:12 PM

Not quite nothing in it...

But very little. 

Bottas
↕️
0.026s
↕️
Russell#BahrainGP 🇧🇭 #F1 pic.twitter.com/mBosxWc5CT

— Formula 1 (@F1) December 5, 2020

---

06:09 PM

Verstappen: We had a good qualifying

It's a very short lap but pleased to get near and be P3. This [different strategy] will be interesting tomorrow. We have nothing to lose. I'm looking forward to it. This track, the lap times are so close to each other. With so many laps of traffic management it's not going to be easy. 

---

06:08 PM

Russell: Valtteri has pushed Lewis and we all know how great Lewis is

It's been incredibly intense. It's just so different, it felt really alient to begin with. I've been trying to unlearn what I learned at Williams and learn to drive this car. I tried a lot of things in FP3 but it didn't go well. Gutted to miss out on pole by 20 milliseconds. If you'd have told me last week I'd be qualifying P2 next week...I'm pleased, I'm pleased. I've got nobody in front of me tomorrow, which I haven't experienced for a long, long time. 

---

06:06 PM

Bottas: "I'm happy to be on pole but not my best qualifying"

Think in normal circumstances, being a tenth or two ahead of Russell would feel okay. "It feels like a bit of a mickey mouse track in a way, it's a bit twisty and bumpy."

---

06:04 PM

Q3 ends - Order and gaps

1. BOT 53.377
2. RUS +0.026
3. VER +0.056
4. LEC +0.236
5. PER +0.413
6. KVY +0.529
7. RIC +0.580
8. SAI +0.633
9. GAS +0.777
10. STR +0.823

---

06:03 PM

VALTTERI BOTTAS TAKES POLE POSITION FOR THE SAKHIR GRAND PRIX

Some find laps towards the end, Kvyat in sixth, Leclerc stays fourth. Nice! Perez fifth. 

Bottas said "nice to be on pole" in the most deadpan way towards the end. He knows that Russell ran him close, very, very close indeed. That is a tremendous performance from George Russell. Improvement all throughout. Bottas not especially delighted with another pole. Still. Better there than second...

---

06:02 PM

Q3 - Russell in the final sector...

It's neck and neck with Bottas! What can do he do? He needs to nail the final sector... he does, but it's just not enough. Only 0.026s away from a maiden pole position...

Verstappen in third! 0.030s slower than Russell!

---

06:01 PM

Q3 - Mercedes on their hot laps

Bottas has not improved in sector one. Has Russell? No, he hasn't. Simialr to Bottas, though. Still two sectors to go. Verstappen is there as well...

Bottas a tenth down in S2.. Where is Russell? He's a tenth off overall...

Bottas goes 0.034s slower than his fastest overall with a purple final sector...

---

05:59 PM

Q3 - Drivers out for their final runs

This is definitely a three-way shoot out for pole: Bottas, Russell and Verstappen. 

---

05:58 PM

Q3 - Leclerc loved that lap

Doesn't look like he's going again, possibly out of fresh tyres. 

LEC: "It was really good. It was really good!”

Leclerc posts a mega lap to momentarily go P2 - he's now watching from the pit wall! 📺#BahrainGP 🇧🇭 #F1 pic.twitter.com/qBAl9uzt8h

— Formula 1 (@F1) December 5, 2020

---

05:57 PM

Q3 - Bottas goes quickest

Russell just 0.142s off and in second. Bottas quickest of all in S1 and S2, Russell quickest in S3. Decent work from both, I think. One final run for everyone, I think. Mercedes taking the luxury of a rare three runs in Q3. 

---

05:55 PM

Q3 - Mercedes on used tyres on their first runs

And they're out again. Bottas and Russell with competitive first sector times. 

Bottas 0.215s up after two sectors. Russell about two tenths down on that but on course for second...

---

05:55 PM

Q3 - Order after the first runs and gaps

1. VER 53.591
2. LEC +0.022
3. BOT +0.169
4. PER +0.207
5. RUS +0.381
6. RIC +0.389
7. SAI +0.551
8. STR +0.680
9. GAS +1.123
10. KVY (no time)

---

05:54 PM

Q3 - Racing Points lining up their runs on a clear track

0.130s off in sector one for the Mexican Perez. Stroll 0.358s off the pace in S1. Hmmm. 

Perez 0.233s down in S2, Stroll 0.622s down at the same point.

Perez goes... fourth! Ahead of Russell. Stroll only eighth. 

---

05:52 PM

Q3 - Ricciardo goes fifth

Sainz sixth, but .551s off the pace. We're waiting for Racing Point now. 

"This lap was very good," Leclerc says. Ha! He sounds quite breathless on the radio. He knows he nailed it. And he did. 

---

05:51 PM

Q3 - Verstappen goes quickest!

By 0.169s over Bottas! And now Leclerc goes second! 0.022s behind. That's astonishing!

---

05:51 PM

Q3 - Here we go, Mercs on their hot laps

What's Bottas's first sector? 18.783. And Russell? 18.902... again he's a bit down. As was the case in Q2. 

Bottas good in sector two... a 53.760 from Bottas...

What does Russell do? He's 0.119s behind... but Verstappen is looking tasty indeed...

---

05:50 PM

Q3 begins!

12 minutes to go... Mercedes out first, as has been the way in recent times. Bottas leads Russell. 

---

05:49 PM

Can Russell get pole here?

It's possible. What a result that would be. Frankly, if he's within two-tenths of Bottas, that is admirable. 

---

05:46 PM

Q2 - Afraid that is very poor from Albon

Again. 0.379s off Verstappen on a 54-second lap. Just not good enough, I'm afraid. Very close between Bottas and Russell that session. Has Russell got into the groove in the W11?

---

05:43 PM

Q2 - Classification

1. VER
2. PER
3. BOT
4. SAI
5. RUS
6. LEC
7. STR
8. KVY
9. RIC
10. GAS
    OUT: 
11. OCO
12. ALB
13. VET
14. GIO
15. NOR

I think only the Mercedes will start on the mediums tomorrow. Pretty sure that is the case.  

---

05:42 PM

Q2 - Final runs finishing

Leclerc improves to sixth, pushing Ocon and Albon down. Albon is out! He has finished. Did he have a problem? I don't think so. Norris does not improve as he abandons his lap again... very odd. He'll start 15th tomorrow, barring any grid penalties...

Norris out in Q2 after aborting his final run 😩

The Briton will line up P15 in Sakhir#BahrainGP 🇧🇭 #F1 pic.twitter.com/prPRwGLQEz

— Formula 1 (@F1) December 5, 2020

---

05:41 PM

Q2 - Stroll stays fifth

Gasly sixth. Norris did get through in the end, but only just...

Ocon improves but only eighth. Kvyat knocks him down to 9th and Verstappen goes quickest of all by 0.140s...

What can Norris do here?

---

05:40 PM

Q2 - Problem for Norris

He slows on the back straight. He might still have time to get back for another lap... but no, probably not now as he's slowed incredibly. 

---

05:39 PM

Q2 - Two minutes remain

It's very, very tight out there. Bottas and Russell come out last of all, but presumably as a precaution. Everyone but Sainz out on track. Think he'll be safe, though. Actually, he's out now...

Norris is going to run into his team-mate on his hot lap, I reckon. 

---

05:38 PM

Q2 - Order with the final runs about to start

1. PER
2. BOT
3. SAI
4. RUS
5. STR
6. LEC
7. VER
8. ALB
9. KVY
10. RIC
    DROP ZONE: 
11. OCO
12. GAS
13. VET
14. NOR
15. GIO

---

05:37 PM

Q2 - Doesn't look like Vettel has the pace to get into the top 10 and through

Vettel aborts his lap and will probably bolt on the softs. Leclerc continues and goes sixth on the mediums. Will that be enough, though. He's quicker than Verstappen on the same tyre and quicker than Albon on the slower tyre. 

---

05:35 PM

Q2 - Sainz on the softs goes third

Top five within 0.053s of each other. Ferrari are 12th and 13th so need to improve but they have both gone out on the mediums again. Bit odd?

---

05:34 PM

Q2 - Order with six minutes to go

Everyone has now set a time. 

1. PER
2. BOT
3. RUS
4. STR
5. VER
6. ALB
7. KVY
8. RIC
9. OCO
10. GAS
11. LEC
12. VET
13. SAI
14. NOR
15. GIO

---

05:34 PM

Q2 - Perez goes quickest by 0.016s...

... but on the softs as opposed to mediums of Mercedes. Stroll slots in in fourth, just 0.053s off Perez — but three places. 

What was that about a gap of 0.016s?!

Perez now moves into top spot, posting the exact same margin ahead of Bottas ⏱️#BahrainGP 🇧🇭 #F1 pic.twitter.com/uFaLdMC6IB

— Formula 1 (@F1) December 5, 2020

What can Albon do? Sixth, on the softs, 0.020s slower than Verstappen on the mediums. That's okay at best. 

---

05:33 PM

Q2 - Ricciardo beats ocon by a tenth

Also on the mediums. Kvyat the only runner in the top 10 on the softs. 

Perez goes quickest in sector one on the softs. 

---

05:32 PM

Q2 - Still waiting for all drivers to set a time

Ocon on his way around now, Ricciardo, Perez, Stroll and Albon also out. Gasly too, as his lap time was deleted due to a track limits infringement. 

Ocon finishes with a 54.247 and fifth. That's none too bad, especially on the mediums. 

---

05:31 PM

Q2 - What do Mercedes do?

Bottas goes quickest with a good lap, a 53.8. Russell is only 0.016s behind him, which is not bad at all. Verstappen, also on the mediums? Two-tenths behind...

---

05:30 PM

Q2 - Sainz with a 54.5

Leclerc is 0.128s up after two sectors. He gets a bit of a tow towards the end of the lap and goes quickest by 0.40s with Vettel slotting in behind. That is until Gasly goes quickest of all by 0.344s... but on the softs. 

---

05:29 PM

Q2 - Hideous traffic at turn one

The Mercedes of Norris comes to a standstill at the pit exit, a Mercedes does the same as Sainz starts his hot lap... sheesh...

---

05:28 PM

Q2 - Sainz the first man out...

And on the softs. 

Both Ferraris on the mediums. As are the Mercedes.  

---

05:26 PM

Q2 begins! 15 minutes to go...

And nobody out on track yet. 

---

05:20 PM

I think Jack Aitken can be very pleased with that effort

Less than a tenth off Latifi, quicker than Raikkonen, not a whole lot slower than Magnussen. He ran a bit wide at the final corner, though, so will be at least a little disappointed. 

---

05:20 PM

Q1 ends - Here's the final order

1. BOT
2. VER
3. RUS
4. NOR
5. GAS
6. PER
7. LEC
8. VET
9. OCO
10. KVY
11. RIC
12. SAI
13. GIO
14. STR
15. ALB
    OUT: 
16. MAG
17. LAT
18. AIT
19. RAI
20. FIT

---

05:19 PM

Q1 - Latifi improves to go ahead of Aitken by a tenth..

Is anyone going to knock Albon out? Do they have enough time? Raikkonen is on a quick lap, so he can displace Albon. Will he be able to do it? He needs to find three-tenths. I think Albon is going to be okay here...

---

05:18 PM

Q1 - Order with a minute remaining

1. BOT
2. VER
3. RUS
4. NOR
5. GAS
6. PER
7. LEC
8. VET
9. OCO
10. KVY
11. RIC
12. SAI
13. GIO
14. STR
15. ALB
    DROP ZONE: 
16. MAG
17. LAT
18. AIT
19. RAI
20. FIT

---

05:17 PM

Q1 - Bottas and Russel starting their hot laps

Bottas goes quickest of all in sector one, what does Russell do? He's over two tenths off which is not great. I think Russell may have had a bit of traffic trouble there... he has just passed Fittipaldi.

Russell quickest in the middle sector, though. Bottas goes quickest, Russell goes 0.256s behind and in third, with Verstappen between them. That was all lost in the first sector, pretty much. 

---

05:15 PM

Q1 - Mercedes both onto the softs now

Will they be able to challenge Verstappen? I reckon, yes. Three minutes remaining. 

---

05:14 PM

Q1 - Sainz bolted on the softs and went fourth

Verstappen has a whinge on the radio about a McLaren getting in the way. 

---

05:13 PM

Q1 - Perez improves again

But stays second. Aitken moves himself up out of the drop zone and his second lap is better than Latifi's second lap, too. Good work from him. 

---

05:12 PM

Q1 - Current order with seven minutes remaining

1. VER
2. PER
3. RIC
4. BOT
5. ALB
6. STR
7. RUS
8. KVY
9. NOR
10. LEC
11. VET
12. OCO
13. MAG
14. GAS
15. SAI
    DROP ZONE: 
16. RAI
17. GIO
18. AIT
19. LAT
20. FIT

---

05:10 PM

Q1 - Time for the Red Bulls to make their mark

Albon looking okay but unlikely to trouble the very top. Four tenths off Perez at the moment... and in P3 as Verstappen goes quickest of all, 0.627s quicker than his team-mate. Ricciardo popping up into third, now ahead of both Mercedes, also on the softs. 

---

05:09 PM

Q1 - Racing Points looking racy

First for Perez, third for Stroll. Both on the soft tyres but Perez 0.340s ahead of the lead Mercedes. 

---

05:08 PM

Q1 - Bottas now quickest

With a 54.607s. Kvyat currently second, until Russell knocks him down to third. Both Mercedes and Kvyat on the mediums. Russell 0.170s slower than his team-mate. That's good. 

---

05:07 PM

Q1 - 12 minutes remain

Now they come out. Gasly on a hot lap now, quickest of all in sector one, though that is beaten by Leclerc in short order. Gasly runs VERY wide at the final corner, goes quickest but definitely lost a tenth or two there...

Leclerc is about to beat that, and indeed he does, by four tenths. What does Vettel do? 0.017s slower and in second. Small margins today. 

---

05:05 PM

Q1 - Sainz quickest, albeit on the hard tyres

Which is a little odd. He's 0.130s quicker than Magnussen at the moment, with Magnussen on the softs. Maybe just a sighter for the Spaniard?

---

05:05 PM

Q1 - Aitken the leading Williams at the moment

He's in second, but just under a tenth quicker than Latifi. Decent from the debutant. 0.116s behind Magnussen, too. Not much action from the other drivers yet. Sainz has just come out, however. Quick lap, though, so getting out and in isn't a problem. 

---

05:03 PM

Q1 - The usual backmarkers out and about now

Fittipaldi the first man to set a time, but he's instantly beating by four-tenths by team-mate Magnussen. 

---

05:00 PM

Q1 begins! 18 minutes to go...

Get in, strap in. It’s going to be a fun one. #RSspirit #SakhirGP pic.twitter.com/5HJ7tVj6P0

— Renault F1 Team (@RenaultF1Team) December 5, 2020

---

04:52 PM

It's nearly time

The penultimate qualifying session of 2020! 🔜#SakhirGP 🇧🇭 #F1 pic.twitter.com/1naFreWTiZ

— Formula 1 (@F1) December 5, 2020

---

04:44 PM

What will count as a good weekend for George Russell?

It's not easy to jump into another car and be on the pace immediately, but Russell was not to far off yesterday, though FP3 was a bit more difficult. Really, if he can be third behind Bottas and Verstappen in qualifying, perhaps within a couple of tenths of both them, that will be pretty pleasing. 

And in the race? A comfortable podium would be a good result. It's not going to be all plain sailing and the most pressurised part of the weekend is about to start. And what does it mean for his chances of getting that Mercedes drive in 2022?

Well, he needs to impress the team and prove his speed at this point and Bottas is a decent benchmark for performance, certainly in qualifying. It's not make or break but it's only going to help his chances if he does well. 

---

04:37 PM

Current driver standings - Top 10

---

04:31 PM

Grosjean back in the Haas cockpit this afternoon

A pleasing sight.

Amazing to see Romain sat back in the car this afternoon ❤️

📸 x @RGrosjean #HaasF1 #SakhirGP pic.twitter.com/btMzksJVCl

— Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) December 5, 2020

Not sure if he will have recovered enough to race next week in Abu Dhabi. It would be a sad way to end his F1 career if that was not the case, though. 

---

04:22 PM

Mick Schumacher, son of Michael, is on the verge of winning the F2 championship

And he has been confirmed for driving for Haas in 2021. But just how good is he? I took a look at his chances of success in F1 and what exactly success would be. You can read the full piece here. 

---

04:11 PM

Only 11 corners on this track but it's still a little tricky

As Max Verstappen shows here. 

Max went quickest in FP3, but his session wasn't without incident 😮#SakhirGP 🇧🇭 #F1 pic.twitter.com/7THs1kgoj5

— Formula 1 (@F1) December 5, 2020

---

04:07 PM

How did the new drivers do?

Well, after being a comfortable few tenths away from their team-mates yesterday, Pietro Fittipaldi did not manage to improve on that gap all that at Haas but Jack Aitken got within two-tenths of his in the other Williams, Nicholas Latifi. Not a great deal of time for them to get up to speed and neither man has spent a great deal of time in an F1 car, but getting through the weekend and being as close to their team-mates as possible will be the aim.

---

03:57 PM

FP3: Final times

1. Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull 54.064secs
2. Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Mercedes GP 54.270
3. Pierre Gasly (Fra) Scuderia AlphaTauri 54.427
4. Esteban Ocon (Fra) Renault 54.453
5. Lando Norris (Gbr) McLaren 54.606
6. Alexander Albon (Tha) Red Bull 54.629
7. George Russell (Gbr) Mercedes GP 54.664
8. Sergio Perez (Mex) Racing Point 54.678
9. Lance Stroll (Can) Racing Point 54.693
10. Carlos Sainz (Spa) McLaren 54.720
11. Antonio Giovinazzi (Ita) Alfa Romeo Racing 54.845
12. Daniil Kvyat (Rus) Scuderia AlphaTauri 54.850
13. Charles Leclerc (Mon) Ferrari 54.854
14. Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) Renault 54.857
15. Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Ferrari 54.858
16. Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Alfa Romeo Racing 55.171
17. Kevin Magnussen (Den) Haas F1 55.347
18. Nicholas Latifi (Can) Williams 55.493
19. Pietro Fittipaldi (Bra) Haas F1 55.666
20. Jack Aitken (Gbr) Williams 55.670

---

03:45 PM

Good afternoon F1 fans

And welcome to our coverage for qualifying for the penultimate race of the season, the Sakhir Grand Prix in Bahrain. Yes it's in the same location as the race last week but on a different track layout. It's a short and fast blast through the desert, with just 11 turns and a tricky, twisty middle sector that will no doubt provide some absolute chaos with traffic in qualifying and possibly even the race. 

It has been a tremendously busy news week in F1 with the aftermath of Romain Grosjean's horrific fiery crash at the start of last week's race, Lewis Hamilton's positive Covid test and the ensuing musical chairs among the drivers. It's not often a seat in possibly the greatest F1 car ever designed becomes available, even for only a single race. But that is the opportunity that has come to George Russell, who has spent the previous 36 races of his F1 career in a car that is firmly planted at the back of the grid, not scoring a single point in the process. 

Mercedes were able to persuade Williams to release Russell — who is a Mercedes contracted driver — to replace Hamilton, with their reserve driver Jack Aitken taking Russell's place for this weekend. Oh, and let us not forget that Pietro Fittipaldi — grandson of Emerson — has replaced Grosjean at Haas to make his own F1 debut. 

How has Russell settled in in the W11? Pretty well so far. Yesterday he looked tidy and topped both free practice sessions with team-mate Valtteri Bottas having a slightly scruffy day. In final practice earlier today he was a little further off the pace, though, with Bottas and Max Verstappen looking like the two most likely men to challenge for pole. Russell is by no means out of this, though, and he will obviously hope to improve in qualifying. 

The track is providing enough challenges for the drivers, too, with plenty of spins and mistakes throughout all three session so far. Qualifying could be an interesting one. It all begins in just over an hour's time, but I'll be here with updates in the mean time. I cannot wait. Genuinely. Who said dead rubbers are boring?