Sebastian Vettel to overlook Bahrain GP after optimistic COVID-19 take a look at, Nico Hulkenberg to race

Germany’s Nico Hulkenberg will change compatriot Sebastian Vettel in System One’s Bahrain season-opener after the 4 occasions world champion examined optimistic for COVID-19, Aston Martin stated on Thursday.

“Sebastian Vettel has examined optimistic for COVID-19 and won’t subsequently be collaborating within the 2022 Bahrain Grand Prix,” the staff stated in a statement.

“Changing him within the AMR22 can be Reserve Driver Nico Hulkenberg, who can be within the automobile from FP1 onwards.”

Hulkenberg is the staff’s reserve driver and has stood in for them 3 times already since he final raced full time in F1 with Renault in 2019.

The 34-year-old changed Mexican Sergio Perez twice and Canadian Lance Stroll as soon as in 2020 when the Silverstone-based staff competed as Racing Level, with each drivers testing optimistic for COVID-19.

His final race was the 2020 Eifel Grand Prix on the Nuerburgring, when he changed Stroll.

The 2015 Le Mans 24 Hours winner has began 179 System One grands prix, with out standing on the rostrum, in a profession that started with Williams in 2010 and included stints with Aston Martin’s predecessors Power India.

He holds the F1 document for many begins with no high three end.

Sunday’s race is the beginning of a brand new period for System One, with a serious aerodynamic revamp and the vehicles heavier and with larger tyres.

Vettel is the second driver to check optimistic for COVID-19 this month, with McLaren’s Australian Daniel Ricciardo due to return to the paddock in a while Thursday after a interval of isolation.

System One has relaxed its beforehand tight COVID-19 protocols this season.

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah follows on from Bahrain subsequent week and there was no phrase from Aston Martin about plans for that race.