Sebastian Vettel has tested positive for COVID-19 and is ruled out of Formula One's Bahrain season-opener, Aston Martin announced on Thursday.
“Replacing him in the AMR22 will be Reserve Driver Nico Hulkenberg, who will be in the car from FP1 onwards,” the team said in a statement.
Hulkenberg has stood in for the team three times since his last full-time F1 season with Renault in 2019. He replaced now Red Bull driver Sergio Perez twice and Lace Stroll once in 2020, both drivers testing positive for COVID-19 at the time.
The German driver has started 179 Formula One grands prix but has yet to stand on the podium.