With Sebastian Vettel a Covid doubt, Nico Hulkenberg on standby for Saudi GP

FILE - Aston Martin's German driver Sebastian Vettel speaks with a team member during the second day of Formula One pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit in the city of Sakhir. Photo: Giuseppe Cacace/AFP

FILE - Aston Martin's German driver Sebastian Vettel speaks with a team member during the second day of Formula One pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit in the city of Sakhir. Photo: Giuseppe Cacace/AFP

Published Mar 24, 2022

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Jeddah — Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel faces a race against time to prove he has shaken a bout of Covid-19 for Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the Aston Martin team said on Thursday.

Aston Martin said that Vettel has not yet registered a negative test after falling ill and missing last weekend's season-opening race in Bahrain where 'super-sub' and fellow-German Nico Hulkenberg took over.

The team said they would make a final decision before the opening practice session on Jeddah's street circuit.

"Sebastian Vettel has not yet returned the required negative Covid test to fly to the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix," the team said. "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."

AFP