Russell has to give up seat for opening session of the Mexico City GP

Every year, Formula 1 drivers have to hand over their cars to rookies twice during FP1 sessions. Russell will miss the first practice session of the Mexico City Grand Prix for this purpose, as Vesti will drive the W17 at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez next Friday.

So far this season, Vesti has driven in two FP1 sessions, replacing Kimi Antonelli on both occasions in Barcelona and at the Hungaroring. This means that Russell will have to give up his seat once again during the final rounds of the season.

While Kimi Antonelli is just two points away from claiming his first Formula 1 title, only nine points currently separate George Russell, Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc, who occupy second to fifth place in the standings.

However, Russell is not bothered about where exactly he finishes the season. He explained: "For me, as long as we win the constructors', that's the main thing. For the team, obviously I'd like to finish best of the rest, but P2, P3, P5 is not champion, so it doesn't mean anything."