Nico Hulkenberg will return to the Formula 1 grid in order to replace Sergio Perez, following the Mexican’s positive Covid-19 test.
Perez sat out Thursday’s media duties at Silverstone after returning an inconclusive first test and a positive second test confirmed that he had Covid-19.
Perez, along with those who came into close contact with him, were isolated, while under UK government guidelines he must quarantine for 10 days.
He is the first Formula 1 driver to test positive for Covid-19.
Racing Point has an arrangement with Mercedes to share reserve drivers Esteban Gutierrez and Stoffel Vandoorne but Hulkenberg swiftly emerged as the team’s leading option.
Hulkenberg was left without a full-time Formula 1 seat for 2020 after Renault recruited Esteban Ocon and talks with Haas and Alfa Romeo fell through.
He opted not to contest a full race programme in other series though has signed up for a one-off appearance in ADAC GT Masters at the Nurburgring.
He has started 177 grands prix across a 10-year period, and competed for Racing Point under its Force India guise in 2012, and then again from 2014 to 2016.
“I was on my way to the Nürburgring for another racing project when the call from Otmar [Szafnauer] came,” said Hulkenberg.
“That was less than 24 hours ago, so it feels a bit surreal for me right now, but I like a good challenge and this is certainly one.
“It’s obviously a difficult situation for Racing Point and Checo. He’s a buddy of mine, an old team-mate and I wish him a speedy recovery. I’ll step in and try do the best I can for the team.”
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