Formula 1: Sebastian Vettel tests positive for Covid-19, out of Bahrain Grand Prix
- The 34-year-old German returns with positive test days before opener, with teammate Hulkenberg the replacement
- McLaren’s Ricciardo tested positive last week but returns in time for the weekend
Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel will miss the Bahrain Grand Prix season opener after testing positive for Covid-19, both Formula One and his team confirmed on Thursday.
The four-time world champion will be replaced by reserve driver Nico Hulkenberg, of whom it will be his first Grand Prix since standing in at the 2020 Eifel Grand Prix for Lance Stroll at Racing Point, who tested positive for Covid-19 at the time.
Fellow German Hulkenberg will drive the AMR22 in the first practice session on Friday.
Vettel’s former Red Bull teammate Daniel Ricciardo, now of McLaren, also returned with a positive test last week, missing the official preseason test.
The Australian has since tested negative and returned to the paddock in time for the weekend race.