Aston Martin has delayed the decision regarding Sebastian Vettel for F1 Saudi Arabian GP, as they wait for a negative test report.
After Vettel missed the 2022 F1 opener in Bahrain due to positive COVID-19 result, the German is yet to be cleared to compete in this weekend’s Saudi Arabian GP. In fact, he is yet to fly out from Switzerland to Jeddah to take part in the grand prix.
Aston Martin notes that Vettel hasn’t got a negative result which is required for him to fly from home to Saudi Arabia. They will wait until Friday of the weekend to give him every opportunity to take part and kick-start his 2022 F1 campaign.
Much like Bahrain, reserve driver Hulkenberg is on standby. He is already in Jeddah after flying out on Wednesday. “Sebastian Vettel has not yet returned the required negative COVID test to fly to the Saudi Arabian GP,” s statement from Aston Martin stated.
“Nico Hulkenberg will be in Jeddah to deputise for Seb if necessary. We will delay our final decision until Friday to provide Seb every opportunity to race.” The German did a fine job upon his F1 return in Bahrain without any time in the 2022 car.
He managed to out-qualify teammate Lance Stroll but finished 17th to the Canadian’s 12th place finish. “It was interesting to be back in a Formula One car for a Grand Prix again, especially in such a busy race with lots going on around me,” said Hulkenberg. “It was not easy to manage the tyres and drive with a changing fuel load.
“The car balance was changing a lot too, and it is not easy to prepare for this until you start racing. We knew that today was likely going to be the most difficult day in the car for that reason, which proved to be the case. I think I put together a good race, all things considered, with only the one mistake when I outbraked myself into Turn One. It was a more challenging race after that.”
UPDATE: With Vettel not getting a COVID-19 negative result, the German is to miss the Saudi Arabian GP as well, with the aim to make his return for the Australian GP. As a result, Hulkenberg get another go in the AMR22 alongside Lance Stroll
“Hulkenberg will practice, qualify and race alongside Lance Stroll. Despite lack of mileage in the AMR22, Nico coped well in Bahrain and we are sure he will do likewise in Jeddah. We expect Sebastian Vettel to be fit for the Australian GP,” said the statement from Aston Martin.
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