Sebastian Vettel will make his first appearance of the season for Aston Martin at next month’s Australian Grand Prix, the team have announced.
The four-time world champion, 35, tested positive for Covid-19 on the eve of the new campaign in Bahrain, missing the 2022 curtain-raiser and remaining absent for the subsequent Saudi Arabian Grand Prix a week later.
Reserve driver Nico Hulkenberg stepped up for Aston Martin in Vettel’s absence, placing last of the 17 cars that finished in Sakhir in week one before a 12th-placed finish in Jeddah, ahead of only team-mate Lance Stroll with seven of the field not making it to the chequered flag on an eventful weekend.
Vettel’s welcome return is unlikely to provide a quick solution to what ails Aston Martin in Melbourne next week, with the Silverstone-based team - owned by billionaire Canadian businessman Lawrence Stroll - struggling notably out of the gate with their Mercedes engine.
TEAM UPDATE: We are pleased to confirm that Sebastian Vettel is now fit to race and will therefore line up alongside @lance_stroll in Melbourne to kick off his 2022 @F1 season at the @ausgrandprix. 💚#F1 #AusGP pic.twitter.com/LrFqaHyQ8W
— Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) March 31, 2022
The same can certainly be said of the Silver Arrows themselves and other customer teams McLaren and Williams, with Ferrari’s renaissance providing a clear boost for not only the Scuderia but also the likes of Alfa Romeo and Haas.
