Nico Hulkenberg will compete for Aston Martin at Formula 1’s Bahrain Grand Prix after Sebastian Vettel returned a positive Covid-19 test.
Aston Martin announced on Thursday morning, ahead of the season-opener, that Vettel returned a positive test.
Hulkenberg, the team’s reserve driver, will take his place.
It is the first event that Vettel has missed since stepping up to Formula 1 with Toro Rosso in mid-2007.
![Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri [McLaren] celebrate their 1-2 finish at the 2025 F1 Austrian GP](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Lando-Norris-Oscar-Piastri-McLaren-F1-2025-1-120x86.webp)
Hulkenberg last competed in Formula 1 at the 2020 Eifel Grand Prix.
McLaren confirmed on Wednesday that Daniel Ricciardo, who missed testing due to a positive Covid-19 test, has been cleared to return.
![Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri [McLaren] celebrate their 1-2 finish at the 2025 F1 Austrian GP](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Lando-Norris-Oscar-Piastri-McLaren-F1-2025-1-350x250.webp)
![Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri [McLaren] celebrate their 1-2 finish at the 2025 F1 Austrian GP](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Lando-Norris-Oscar-Piastri-McLaren-F1-2025-1-360x180.webp)
But but but aren’t these guys all vaxxed to the max? 🤭
I suggest you study vaccinology, or micro-biology, or virology, or epidemiology, or even just plain old medicine, then you’ll discover why your comment is so stupid.