George Russell has

“What Mercedes are saying is it all depends on whether Lewis is feeling well enough. In effect, the rules are secondary to the fact he might not want to go driving because he doesn’t feel well enough because he still has the virus.

“All we can do is wait and see. I’m sure it will be decided in the next day or so but at the moment it is looking pretty unlikely Lewis Hamilton will be at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

“George Russell will have another chance and all we can do is wish Lewis Hamilton all the best in his recovery.”

Russell will be delighted if he gets another chance in the Mercedes car as he pushed the team to offer him a drive for 2022.