via Getty
SUZUKA, JAPAN – Nico Hulkenberg of Germany and Renault Sport F1 walks in the Paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
via Getty
SUZUKA, JAPAN – Nico Hulkenberg of Germany and Renault Sport F1 walks in the Paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
The first race of the 2022 season is just around the corner and there is so much going on in the sport at the moment. According to recent developments, Nico Hulkenberg is on his way to making his F1 comeback for the first time since the 2020 Eifel Grand Prix.
The former Renault driver joined Aston Martin last season after its rebranding from Racing Point. However, he is the reserve test driver for the English F1 team instead of being on the main line-up.
ALSO READ: Nico Hulkenberg Makes Shocking F1 Return as Sebastian Vettel Tests Positive for COVID-19
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After Daniel Ricciardo, Sebastian Vettel has tested positive for COVID-19. Hence, the four-time world champion will miss the first race of the 2022 season. Further, Aston Martin announced the sad news about Seb and revealed their reserve driver Hulkenberg will take his place in Bahrain.
UPDATE: Sebastian Vettel has tested positive for COVID-19 and will therefore not be taking part in the 2022 #BahrainGP.
Replacing him in the AMR22 will be Reserve Driver @HulkHulkenberg, who will be in the car from FP1 onwards. #F1 pic.twitter.com/36wnI8LUAC
— Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) March 17, 2022
As soon as Aston Martin announced this major update on Twitter, F1 fans all around the globe wished Seb for a fast recovery and also cheered Nico. They took no time to react to this news.
Happy to see Hulkenberg racing again
— Raj (@07reddevilz) March 17, 2022
It's been a while since I had mixed feelings on that level. Speedy recovery and none to mild symptoms for Seb 🙏 but I am so happy for Hülkenberg 😊
— 0711 Kolchose (@0711JKA) March 17, 2022
Welcome back Hulk 💚 pic.twitter.com/NJ3YmB4fY5
— Clairebear (@minimadclaire) March 17, 2022
HULKENBACK! Glad to see you back in F1 even if it’s just for 1 race, But Saudi is only next weekend so…..
— Jacob_Fimo (@Jacobfimo) March 17, 2022
Can Nico Hulkenberg impress with his F1 comeback?
The German has not been in the main line-up since the 2019 season. Although he substituted Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll back in 2020 when they also tested positive for COVID-19. Hulkenberg’s performance for Racing Point was outstanding. Now the 34-year-old will return to the F1 paddock once more in place of Sebastian Vettel in 2022.
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via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Pre-Season Testing – Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – March 10, 2022, Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll in action during testing REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
It is a huge blow for Aston Martin, not having the four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel for the season opener. The German won the first podium for Aston Martin at the 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. He also bagged the inaugural award last season for most overtakes.
Therefore, Hulkenberg has got quite big shoes to fill in. He also hasn’t spent much time with the 2022 challenger AMR22. So, Nico would have to rely a lot on his years of F1 experience.
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The race weekend will begin tomorrow with the first practice and the first race of the season will finally take place on Sunday. It would be fascinating to see whether Nico Hulkenberg will bag a few points for Aston Martin upon his F1 comeback or not. Also, it is still not clear whether Sebastian Vettel will return for the second race. Let the 2022 F1 season begin!
