Digest FORMULA ONE
Nico Hulkenberg has been announced by Aston Martin as the team’s reserve and development driver for the 2021 season.
The German driver previously raced for the outfit during its time as Force India, and stepped in to cover coronavirus-enforced absences for Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll last season, when the team was known as Racing Point.
Hulkenberg, 33, has 179 races under his belt, holding the record for the most starts without achieving a podium finish, and also counts Williams, Sauber and Renault among his former employers.
“First of all, it’s great to get this deal signed up with plenty of notice – last year, I didn’t have quite as much time to prepare before jumping in the car,” he told the team’s website.
“I’m really pleased to once again work with this team – with whom I have driven many times during my career.
“Obviously, I’m hoping that Sebastian (Vettel) and Lance enjoy uninterrupted seasons this year, but the team knows it can rely on me to step in and do an excellent job, and I’m fully prepared to take on that challenge.”
BOXING
Nick Campbell admits he would love to become Scotland’s first British heavyweight champion – and prove his switch from rugby is not a gimmick.
The former Glasgow Warriors lock makes his pro boxing debut against Petr Frohlich in London tomorrow night on the undercard of Conor Benn’s televised tussle with Samuel Vargas.
Former Scotland under-20 cap Campbell spent eight years with the Warriors and Jersey Reds before turning his attention to amateur boxing in 2017.
The 6ft 7” fighter won 11 of his 15 bouts at that level and also became the Scottish super heavyweight champion.
Despite being a latecomer to the sport, the 31-year-old admits he is serious about his targets as he attempts to create history.
Campbell said: “Anyone who gets into professional boxing, if they don’t have aspirations of winning titles they’re a liar, that’s why they do it.
“There’s never been a Scottish heavyweight British champion, to be the first one would be unbelievable – to put your name in history like that for your country.
“That is without doubt a target of mine going forward.
“I’m here to make a statement and prove I’m not a gimmick, and have a real go at a bustling British heavyweight scene. Scotland has always been famous for having fighters at lighter weights. We’ve got Josh Taylor, Kash Farooq, Lee McGregor, who are all doing really well at the moment.”