4-time world champion misses first F1 race since coronavirus outbreak; ‘tremendous sub’ Nico Hulkenberg has historical past of changing drivers and can hope to shine at Bahrain GP, which is all reside on Sky Sports activities F1 this weekend
Final Up to date: 17/03/22 9:48am
Sebastian Vettel has examined optimistic for Covid-19 and can miss the opening Grand Prix of the season
Sebastian Vettel will miss this weekend’s season-opening Bahrain GP after testing optimistic for Covid-19.
Aston Martin reserve driver Nico Hulkenberg will deputise for the four-time world champion, the crew have confirmed.
The Vettel information follows Daniel Ricciardo’s optimistic take a look at final week which dominated him out of the Bahrain pre-season take a look at, though the Australian is match to race for McLaren this weekend.
It’s the first race Vettel may have missed for the reason that coronavirus outbreak, though Hulkenberg – whereas off the grid as a everlasting driver since 2019 – has crammed in for drivers earlier than.
In 2020, Hulkenberg accomplished ‘super-sub’ duties for Racing Level, Aston Martin’s earlier guise, when Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll have been sidelined.
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Sky Sports activities’ Craig Slater examines all the large speaking factors forward of the primary System One race of the brand new season in Bahrain.
Hulkenberg carried out admirably over three races and, with huge F1 expertise, has been linked with numerous drives since.
However he’ll get his likelihood to shine once more on the Bahrain GP.
There’s additionally an F1 race on March 27 in Saudi Arabia. Ought to Vettel take a look at damaging earlier than that race, he needs to be cleared to participate.
This weekend’s Bahrain GP is all reside on Sky Sports activities F1, beginning with follow on Friday.
Brundle: F1 paddock might ‘tighten up’ after Vettel information
F1 is ‘opening up’ in 2022 after two years in strict Covid bubbles with little media entry, though Sky Sports activities F1’s Martin Brundle fears Vettel’s optimistic end result might trigger a rethink.
“The paddock this 12 months, no bubbles, no masks… groups are going to need us to steer clear of their drivers,” Brundle mentioned on Sky Sports activities Information.
“They cannot afford to have them knocked down, and in case you assume you are a championship or race-winning contender, much more so.”
Requested if drivers might compete regardless of testing optimistic for Covid sooner or later, Brundle mentioned: “Finally.
“The world is opening up, however possibly the F1 paddock on this information will tighten up a bit.”
Extra to observe.
Comply with the Bahrain GP reside on Sky Sports activities F1
Sky Sports activities F1 is your house for each race this season, and all of it begins with the Bahrain GP this weekend.
We may have build-up proper via the week earlier than protecting all of the motion reside from the Bahrain Worldwide Circuit, from Friday’s first follow session via to Sunday’s season-opening Grand Prix.
Sky Sports activities F1 specialists Martin Brundle, David Croft, Damon Hill, Ted Kravitz, Simon Lazenby, Natalie Pinkham and Naomi Schiff will all be out in Bahrain bringing you unrivalled evaluation and punditry.
In a 2022 twist, the drivers’ press convention will happen on Friday morning earlier than each follow periods and our reside F1 Present, recapping the motion.
Saturday’s qualifying and Sunday’s race – each reside at 3pm – will probably be adopted by Ted’s Pocket book, whereas there may be additionally the added enhance of the System 2 and System 3 championships kicking off in Bahrain.
As all the time, you may also observe the motion on-line and on the Sky Sports activities app.
The System 1 season begins on Friday on Sky Sports activities F1 with the Bahrain GP. Sunday’s race begins at 3pm. Find out more & subscribe.
