Lewis Hamilton replacement George Russell has Max Verstappen hope for Sakhir Grand Prix

“I’ve been given an incredible opportunity but, like I say, I’m not setting any targets.

“I’m just going to give it my all, as I’ve done always. Go out there, drive as quick as I can come Saturday afternoon, Sunday afternoon and what happens, happens.”

Russell, who was Mercedes’ reserve driver in 2018 and then signed a three-year deal to drive for Williams from 2019 to 2021, believes he is standing in for “the greatest of all time statistically” in Hamilton.

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He added: “In my opinion, as well, I believe he is the most all-rounded best driver ever, I think. For me having seen him up close as well, seeing how he drives, how he interacts with the team and everything.

“So stepping into his shoes, into his car that he won the world championship in is obviously surreal. It’s the hardest shoes ever to fill.

“Coming in in the penultimate race of the season, it’s tricky. It is very tricky. It’s a strange position to find myself in.