SAKHIR, Bahrain – Williams Racing confirmed Wednesday that Jack Aitken will race in this weekend’s Sakhir Grand Prix at Bahrain Int’l Circuit alongside Nicholas Latifi.
The 25-year-old takes the place of the team’s regular driver George Russell, who has been released to drive for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team in Bahrain after Lewis Hamilton was sidelined due to a positive COVID-19 test.
Aitken is currently the team’s reserve driver and will now make his Formula One debut at the penultimate round of the season.
“Our long-term partnership and George’s affiliation with Mercedes is no secret, and so I’m delighted George has this unique opportunity to join Mercedes, the current constructors’ champions,” noted acting team principal Simon Roberts. “We have been working hard to ensure that an agreement could be made with Mercedes to allow him this fantastic opportunity. George very much remains a Williams driver and we look forward to him returning to us fresh from this experience and wish him a successful race this weekend.
“We are also thrilled this means we are able to give another British talent in Jack Aitken the opportunity to make his Formula One race debut. Jack joined Williams at the start of this season, and despite COVID-19 restrictions meaning we haven’t been able to interact with him as much as we would like, he has quickly become a much-liked member of the team,” Roberts continued. “We look forward to seeing him build on his previous experience driving the car in practice, to see what he can do in a qualifying and race situation.”
Aitken is no stranger to the FW43, having taken part in an FP1 session earlier in the season at the Styrian Grand Prix. Alongside his reserve driver duties, Aitken has been competing in FIA Formula 2 this year, scoring two podiums and eight other points finishes.
“I’m absolutely over the moon to have the opportunity to make my debut with Williams this coming weekend and I am extremely happy for George to have his chance too!” said Aitken. “I really mean it when I say I’ve felt very much at home here since I joined Williams earlier this year, so to get my chance to help the team try to achieve that elusive points finish is an extremely satisfying occasion to say the least. I’ll be doing all I can to prepare in the coming days, but truthfully, I feel like I have been ready since Melbourne.
“I also want to wish Lewis well in his recovery, and good luck to George getting the chance to drive the Mercedes this weekend.”