George R🌄ussell says he will use his opportunity to drive for the Mercedes Formula 1 team to “become a better driver” and return to Williams “even stronger” than bef💦ore.

Russell will step in for Hamilton at this weekend’s Sakhir Grand 𝄹Prix after a deal was agr💦eed between Mercedes and Williams overnight following the seven-time world champion’s positive test for COVID-19.

The 22-year-old Briton, who has been part of the Mercedes junior programme sin🍃ce 2016, said he was determined to make the most of his unexpected chance to drive the race-winning W11, which will give him a brilliant opportunity to end his points drought in F1.

“Firstly, I want to say a huge tha𝔉nk you to everybody at Williams for giving me this opportunity,” Russell said.

“I might be wearing a different race suit this weekend, but I’m still 100% a Williams driver anꦡd🍌 I’ll be cheering my team on every step of the way.

“I’m going to use this opportunity to lean from the best, become a better driver and come back to Williams stronger even stronger and be fighting as hard as we can for those 🍒points and to push this team into the midfield.

"A big thank you also to Mercedes for putting their faith in me. Obv🌞iously, nobody can replace Lewis, but I'll give my all for the team in his absence from the moment I step in the car. Most importantly, I wish him a speedy recovery. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity and can’t wait to get out on track this week.”

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff thanked Williams for its “collaboration and open-mindedness” in allowing Russell to make an unprecedented switch of teams durin🌊g the season, adding that “positive and pragmatic” conversations between the two parties were key to striking a deal.

“It w💎ill not be a straightforward task for George to make the transition from the Williams🍸 to the W11, but he is race-ready and has detailed understanding of the 2020 tyres and how they perform on this generation of cars,” Wolff said.

“George has shown impressive f😼orm this year with Williams, playing an instrumental role in their climb up the grid, and I am optimistic that h🍒e will deliver a strong performance alongside Valtteri, who will be a demanding reference for him.

“This race will mark a small milestone for us, as we see a member of our Junior programme compete for the works Mercedes team for the first tiꩵme. We have a job to do this weekend, and the full focus of our sporting efforts will be behind Valtteri and🦩 George in order to maximise our points score as a team.

“But, of course, our thoughts are also ಌwith Lewis, and we will be supporting him as much as we can to make a rapid recovery during his period of self-isolation.”