Hamilton won at the Bahrain Grand Prix but Bottas finished eighth after a puncture under the safety car. Hamilton was forced to miss the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix following a positive test for coronavirus and was replaced by Williams driver and Mercedes young driver George Russell for that event. Russell started second and led most of the race having overtaken Bottas, who had taken pole, at the start. At the second pit stop, Mercedes made an error and Russell was fitted with Bottas' tyres, forcing Russell to make another pit stop on the following lap. A late puncture then cost Russell a potential podium and win and he finished ninth with the fastest lap. Bottas finished the race in eighth, having poor performance and old tyres at the end of the race. Hamilton returned for the season finale having performed a series negative coronavirus tests ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix alongside Bottas meaning Russell returned to Williams.