This feature is currently not available because you need to provide consent to functional cookies. Please update your
Video
THROUGH THE VISOR: Russell talks through his super-sub Mercedes debut at the Sakhir GP
The 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix was one of the most exciting and dramatic races of the season, with action right up and down the field across the whole weekend.
It was particularly special for George Russell, who made his debut with Mercedes when he stepped into the W11 in place of Lewis Hamilton, who was suffering with Covid.
The young Brit was chomping at the bit to get his hands on a front-running car, having spent the best part of two years driving a Williams that was usually rooted to the back of the grid.
READ MORE: The smoking gun that cost Mercedes and Russell a win in Sakhir
Having pushed regular Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas hard in qualifying, Russell lined up P2 for the start, just behind the Finn, who had taken pole position.
But come lights out, Russell got a superb launch off the line to take the lead into Turn 1. He was building up a gap to the pack behind when the Safety Car was called out – but still he was dreaming of a maiden win on his first outing with the team, even as he grappled with the unfamiliar switches and controls on the car, with Hamilton's engineer Pete 'Bono' Bonnington talking him through it all over the radio.
Later in the race he came up behind Bottas once more, and there was only one thing in Russell's mind as he seized on a tiny error from the Finn and muscled his way past with what he called "probably the best overtake I’ve ever done in Formula 1".
Sadly for him, his dreams of a podium or even a victory were dashed after a pit stop mix-up, followed by a puncture, leaving him P9 at the flag. Nonetheless, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff was impressed, calling it a "brilliant, brilliant drive".
Hit play on the video above to hear Russell talk through the ups and downs of the race as he watches back the footage and recalls all the details from the day he announced to the world he could cut it at the very sharp end of Grand Prix racing.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
Feature TIMELINE: Ollie Bearman’s ‘whirlwind’ 24 hours in Jeddah that saw him go from F2 pole to F1 debut
Feature INSIGHT: How Ferrari super-sub Bearman made his mark on and off the track in Saudi Arabia
FeatureF1 Unlocked DRIVER MARKET: He’s a Finn who knows how to win – but where will Bottas be driving next season?
OpinionF1 Unlocked TREMAYNE: Bearman’s F1 debut was one of the most accomplished and impressive I’ve witnessed in 36 years of F1 reporting