Russell joins Bottas in press conference for Saudi Arabian GP

The FIA has announced another new format for the press conference of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Max Verstappen will join the third session this week, with Lewis Hamilton joining the second.

As we saw in Bahrain, this season the press conference takes place on the Friday to shorten the race weekend. As a result, the drivers will again be put together in larger groups, as we were used to before the corona pandemic. In groups of five, the drivers will speak to the media.

Verstappen will take his seat on Friday alongside Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon, Carlos Sainz and Mick Schumacher. The first session will start at 08:30 UK time, with Hamilton joining the second session at 11:00. During the first session, Valtteri Bottas will take his seat alongside his replacement George Russell.

The Aston Martin driver who will take his place in the final session has yet to be announced. This is because it is not yet certain whether Sebastian Vettel will be able to race this coming weekend after his corona infection. Sergio Perez will take his place in this session next to Charles Leclerc.

On Saturday, the press conference with the team bosses will then take place. Toto Wolff and Christian Horner are not in attendance this time, but Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto, among others, will take a seat along with McLaren's Andreas Seidl after the double podium in Bahrain.