George Russell made a flying start to life at Mercedes by setting the pace in the openi𒅌ng practice session for Formula 1’s Sakhir Grand Prix.

The Briton - who is standing in for Lewis Hamilton after the seven-time world champion was ruled out of the weekend following a positive COVID-19 ꧂test - posted a 0:54.546s around B🎶ahrain’s Outer Track, the shortest circuit on the 2020 calendar,  to top FP1 having swapped the slowest car of the grid for the fastest.

Russ🌳ell ended up 0.176s clear of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who headed teammate Alex Albon by a tenth while Valtteri Bottas finished𒉰 fourth-fastest in the second Mercedes.

Bottas was seen struggling with balance and handling in his W11 throughout the session as he had a number of wide ♛moments and damaged his car on his way to lapping 0.322s ♒slower than Mercedes debutant Russell. 

It was a strong FP1 for AlphaTauri as Daniil Kvyat led teammate Pierre𝕴 Gasly in fifth, with both drivers getting within six-tenths of 🌌Russell’s benchmark.

Esteban O🍬con was ne💛xt up in seventh, ahead of Sebastian Vettel, Renault teammate Daniel Ricciardo and Charles Leclerc, who completed the top-10 order for Ferrari.

The Racing P🔜oint duo of Lance Stroll and Sergio Perez were 11th and 12th, ahead of McLaren’s Carlos Sainz and the Alfa Romeo pair he🌠aded by Kimi Raikkonen.

16th went the way of Lando Norris asꦑ McLaren once again prioritised race set-up over one-lap pace, with Kevin Magnussen the highest-placed Haas in 17th.

Nicholas Latifi was 18th ahead of F1 debutants Pietro Fittipaldi and Jack A🗹itken, who are both contesting their maiden grands prix with Haas and Williams respectively.

Fittipaldi🍎 is replacing the injured Romain Grosjean as he continues his recovery from his horrific crash at the Bahra💖in Grand Prix, while Williams reserve driver Aitken is standing in for Russell.

FULL OPENING PRACTICE RESULTS FOR THE 2020 F1 SAKHIR GRAND PRIX.