Sebastian Vettel to miss Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as Nico Hulkenberg steps up for Aston Martin again

Sebastian Vettel will miss a second consecutive grand prix weekend due to Covid, Aston Martin have confirmed.

The four-time world champion tested positive for coronavirus in the build-up to the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix last week, with reserve driver Nico Hulkenberg stepping up instead to perform practice, qualifying and race duties alongside Lance Stroll in Sakhir.

It proved to be a difficult weekend for Aston Martin, with Hulkenberg and Stroll starting towards the back of the grid before finishing 17th and 12th respectively.

That was last place for Hulkenberg, with the Red Bulls of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez plus AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly all failing to finish the race.

But the German will compete once again in Jeddah this weekend, though Aston Martin say they are hopeful that compatriot Vettel will be able to return for the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on April 10.

#SaudiArabianGP Update:@HulkHulkenberg 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 #AustralianGP. pic.twitter.com/SgiSYwxZY2

— Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) March 25, 2022

In an update from Saudi Arabia on Friday morning, the team tweeted: “Nico Hulkenberg will practice, qualify and race alongside Lance Stroll.

“Despite a 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 Grand Prix.”