Replacing during the first training session at the stage in Mexico
What happened?
During the first training session on the stage in Mexico, there were several replacements. Nikita Mazepin was replaced by Guanyu Zhou in the Alfa Romeo, and Mick Schumacher was replaced by Pietro Fittipaldi in the Haas. George Russell also replaced Lewis Hamilton in the Mercedes.
Why did the replacements happen?
The reasons for the replacements varied. Nikita Mazepin was positive for covid-19, Mick Schumacher had a commitment at the Race of Champions, and Lewis Hamilton was absent from the test due to personal reasons.
Mazepin out, Zhou in
Mazepin’s replacement by Zhou was one that had been expected for some time. Zhou is a young Chinese driver who has been part of the Alfa Romeo academy for several years. He has been impressive in Formula 2, and he is widely seen as one of the most promising young drivers in the world. Mazepin, on the other hand, has struggled during his time in Formula 1, and he has been criticized for his lack of pace and his poor racecraft.
Schumacher out, Fittipaldi in
Mick Schumacher’s replacement by Fittipaldi is a more surprising move. Fittipaldi has very limited experience in Formula 1, and this is only his second time driving the Haas car. However, he is a familiar face with the team, having worked as their development driver for several years. Schumacher, on the other hand, is a highly rated driver who has a number of successes to his name at junior levels.
Russell replaces Hamilton for a day
George Russell’s replacement for Lewis Hamilton is a short-term arrangement that allows Hamilton to take a break from testing. Russell, who was impressive in his debut season with Williams last year, is seen as one of the future stars of Formula 1. This replacement also allowed Mercedes to test out a different car set-up, as the car had been tailored to Hamilton’s previous preferences.
What does this mean for the teams?
The replacements during the first training session on the stage in Mexico are likely to have a significant impact on the teams involved. Alfa Romeo will be hoping that Zhou can provide them with a much-needed boost, while Haas will be hoping that Fittipaldi can help them to develop their car. Mercedes, meanwhile, will be hoping that Russell can provide them with some valuable feedback on the car.
Conclusion
The replacements during the first training session on the stage in Mexico are a sign of the ever-changing nature of Formula 1. Teams are constantly looking for ways to improve their performance, and they are always willing to make changes if they believe it will give them an edge. It will be interesting to see how these replacements affect the teams involved in the long run.
