Sebastian Vettel will not be racing in the Bahrain Grand Prix 2022; will be replaced by reserve driver Nico Hulkenberg for the race.
Right a day before the start of the F1 season, Sebastian Vettel got diagnosed with COVID-19 and will miss the season opener in Bahrain. Aston Martin has confirmed that Nico Hulkenberg will replace his compatriot for this week’s race.
This marks the second return of Hulkenberg in the last two years in F1. In 2020, he got to drive in two Grand Prix races for the same team when Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll became unavailable due to COVID-19 on two separate occasions.
Hulkenberg, since 2019 has been without a team, but after his performances for Racing point (now Aston Martin). He has been appointed as the reserve driver for both Mercedes and Aston Martin.
Moreover, he also took part in developing the 2022 car for Aston Martin. Thus, there was no doubt that the Silverstone based team would resort to him in times of trouble.
Also read: Nico Hulkenberg blames F1 teams’ decision making playing part in preventing his F1 return
Twitter reacts to Nico Hulkenberg return 3.0
Hulkenberg may not boast an exceptional portfolio in F1. In all his time in the sport, he has managed to win not even a single podium. Yet, he has a significant following, who likes him, and even now rejoicing at his return.
On the other hand, two drivers diagnosed with COVID-19 in the same week have brought out funny memes from F1 Twitter.
Also read: Nico Hulkenberg believes he has to move on from F1 after 2022
