Not because of his position as one of the most talented drivers of his generation, albeit it one that so far has not achieved the expected F1 success his glittering and packed junior single-seater CV indicated was possible. But because of what Hulkenberg achieved the last three times he was called up to stand in for an F1 regular.
Three times since the 2020 season finally started in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic has Hulkenberg deputised in place of a driver that had tested positive for COVID-19. Early in 2020 he stood in for Sergio Perez at the British and 70th Anniversary races at Racing Point, then he replaced Lance Stroll for the same squad at that year’s Eifel Grand Prix at the Nurburgring.
