For the first time since 2006 Lewis Hamilton will not be at the start of a Grand Prix this weekend due to his infection with the coronavirus. George Russell will replace him. For his young fellow countryman this is an excellent opportunity to finally score some points in F1.

Bookmakers predi

Of course, appointing Russell to replace Hamilton makes everyone wonder how he is going to get away with it. Russell is seen as a huge talent, but can he make it difficult in his first weekend, or Valtteri Bottas or Max Verstappen?

At least the bookies think so. On average they bet Russell's winning chance on 3.75 to 1, with only Max Verstappen and Vallteri Bottas being given higher chances. The bookmakers gave the Dutchman the best chance of winning (2.50 to 1). Bottas has to make do with second place (2.87 against 1). Russel is also third in the listings for pole position, but Bottas is first in Verstappen. Sergio Perez is in fourth place at a huge distance for the win (26 against 1).

Fast gambler

If Russell is indeed able to win the Sakhir Grand Prix, he is certainly not the only one who will be very happy with it. When the news came out that Russell was going to drive for Mercedes, a fast gambler bet one pound on Russell. However, the odds of winning (1000 to 1) were still set in such a way that Russell would still be driving for Williams.