A new role for Hülkenberg at Mercedes and Aston Martin

Always at the heart of the global health crisis that we have been experiencing for a year now, Formula 1 teams must prepare if a regular driver were to test positive for Covid-19 and therefore call upon several reserves.

Having competed in 3 Grand Prix last year as a replacement for Sergio Pérez and Lance Stroll, Nico Hülkenberg reminded everyone of his talent and made a strong impression, especially with his 3rd place in qualifying despite having spent many months outside of an F1 seat.

The German driver will therefore occupy the same role at Aston Martin, the new name of Racing Point. But that’s not all because the winner of the 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans has also caught the eye of Mercedes and will also be a reserve driver for the world champion team.

This year, I will be a reserve driver for Aston Martin, and also for Mercedes in some Grand Prix races,” the German said on ServusTV.

Hülkenberg, Vandoorne, De Vries… but finally Russell at Mercedes?

Indeed, Mercedes already has a good supply of reserve drivers with Stoffel Vandoorne and Nyck de Vries.

However, the two men are committed to the star firm in the Formula E World Championship, and any potential clashes of dates between the two disciplines require Mercedes to have a fallback solution, and Hülkenberg is a safe value in the paddock.

Engaged with the multiple world champion team since his retirement from F1, Estéban Gutiérrez also maintains a role as ambassador for the brand and the team but will not be called upon in case of any issues with Lewis Hamilton or Valtteri Bottas.

For your information, when Hamilton had contracted Covid-19 on the sidelines of the Sakhir Grand Prix, Mercedes had snubbed its reserve drivers (notably Vandoorne who was strongly rumored) to promote George Russell and assess the British driver at the wheel of the Mercedes.

Will this be the case again this year? Nothing is less certain!