31/07/2020
NEWS STORY
Nico Hulkenberg will partner Lance Stroll at Racing Point this weekend, following Sergio Perez' positive test for the coronavirus.
"Hulkenberg's experience of racing in contemporary Formula 1 and his strong track record ensure he is the ideal driver to stand in for the Mexican this weekend," said the team.
"In a bid to minimise disruption and ensure the best possible chance of building upon the team's strong start to the 2020 campaign, Nico's familiarity with the team will prove invaluable," it continued.
Hulkenberg's association with the team began in 2011 as reserve driver, before graduating into a race seat for 2012. He raced for the team between 2014 and 2016 as a regular Top 10 finisher.
His 177 Grand Prix starts make him the 25th-most experienced F1 driver in the history of the sport, and he was racing as recently as 2019, with Renault.
"Having to find a replacement for Sergio at short notice is no easy task," admitted Otmar Szafnauer, "but in Nico we've got a fantastic super-sub who the team knows very well.
"He's certainly being thrown in at the deep end, but he's a fast learner and I'm sure he will get up to speed quickly."
"I was on my way to the Nurburgring for another racing project when the call from Otmar came," revealed the German. "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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