Wolff understands Vandoorne's frustration

George Russell impressed with the fastest time during the first free practice in Sakhir, but Stoffel Vandoorne admitted how he would have liked to have been in that car as a spare driver for Mercedes. Toto Wolff has explained why Russell was chosen.

After it turned out that Lewis Hamilton tested positive for coronavirus, a replacement had to be arranged by Mercedes. Stoffel Vandoorne seemed to be the right man to be the team's reserve driver, but Wolff decided to put Russell through his paces. Vandoorne did not hide his disappointment and Wolff understands that.

''Stoffel is doing great in Formula E and has already done a perfect job as a reserve driver for us this year. Of course he is disappointed that he is not allowed to be in that car and we understand that too. He's also a racer and we don't expect him to be jumping with happiness now," said Wolff according to Racefans.net.

''However, he also knows why we made this decision and as a reserve driver you also know that you have no guarantee of a seat if someone drops out. You also have a role next to the track and in the simulator. Stoffel did a fantastic job there, just as he did with his prominent role in Formula E," concluded the Austrian.