Sebastian Vettel of Aston Martin has tested positive for Covid-19 and will be unable to compete in the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.
Nico Hulkenberg, the team’s reserve driver, will replace the four-time world champion starting from Friday practice.
It will be Hulkenberg’s first Grand Prix since standing in for Lance Stroll at Racing Point after the Canadian tested positive for Covid-19 at the 2020 Eifel Grand Prix.
It was his third time filling in for a race driver that year, having previously replaced Sergio Perez for the two Silverstone race weekends.
The news comes after Daniel Ricciardo failed the Official Pre-Season Test last week due to a positive test.
He has subsequently tested negative and will return to the paddock on Thursday in time to compete with McLaren teammate Lando Norris in the race weekend.
UPDATE: Sebastian Vettel has tested positive for COVID-19 and will therefore not be taking part in the 2022 #BahrainGP.
Replacing him in the AMR22 will be Reserve Driver @HulkHulkenberg, who will be in the car from FP1 onwards. #F1 pic.twitter.com/36wnI8LUAC
— Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) March 17, 2022