Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin Formula 1 driver, is expected to return on track at Australian Grand Prix. He missed opening two races because of the COVID-19.
Vettel, four times F1 world champion, tested positive of COVID-19 before season opening. It ruled out his presence on track at Bahrain GP. It triggered Aston Martin to fill in his place with Nico Hulkenberg.
The German driver failed to provide a negative test for the second race at Saudia Arabia. It led to his absence and Hulkenberg raced again as his replacement.
Now, Aston Martin confirmed his return for Australian Grand Prix next weekend after a confirmed fitness.
Vettel will start his season in April where he will do his best to revive Aston Martin’s presence. The team is struggling to find a better place on the grid.
Aston Martin and Williams are only two teams, which failed to score any point in the first two races. Lance Stroll and Hulkenberg managed to finish 12th and 17th at Bahrain and finished 13th and 12th at Saudia Arabian GP respectively.
In Jeddah, Hulkenberg spoke to Autosport and assured he will be in reach if he was required by the team. But he is not expecting his return for Australian GP.
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“We’ll talk about it,” Hulkenberg said. “I might go in closer proximity to Australia, so that I’m kind of on standby, and if there is a situation then I’m at least not in Europe, but a bit closer.”
Hulkenberg enjoyed racing in Saudia Arabia with a “clean” and “faultless” race. He enjoyed himself as “the old rusty guy” finishing better than his team-mate, Stroll.
“The last 10 days were very unexpected, very eventful, busy, very intense, but I enjoyed them,” Hulkenberg said. “I think in a few years’ time, I’ll look back to this with happy memories.”
Vettel is returning to Australian Grand Prix after 2019. During 2020 and 2021, F1 races at the Australia were called off because of COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 race was cancelled after a positive case in F1 paddock.
