Hulkenberg stands in again

Formula 1 supersub Nico Hulkenberg continued to deputise for Sebastian Vettel at Aston Martin for last weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand

Prix after the four-time world champion failed to return a negative COVID-19 test result.

Vettel tested positive just before the Bahrain season-opener, prompting Aston to draft in reserve driver Hulkenberg for his first F1 start since October 2020. Vettel continued to test positive in the build-up to the Jeddah weekend, meaning Hulkenberg continued.

Hulkenberg qualified 18th before finishing 12th, ahead of full-time Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll, but lamented the timing of the safety car. “It’s unfortunate, but you can’t control these things,” he said. “I’m very pleased. I drove a clean race, faultless, which is all I could ask for given I’m the old rusty guy!

“The last 10 days were very unexpected, very eventful, busy, very intense, but I enjoyed them. I think in a few years’ time, I’ll look back to this with happy memories.”

Aston Martin said that it anticipates Vettel will return in time for next week’s Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.