Lightning comeback with huge opportunity: Hülkenberg replaces Perez infected with corona

177 races Nico Hülkenberg is waiting in vain to finally finish in the top three of a Formula 1 race. In fact, he is without a cockpit in the 2020 season – but now the chance of a podium seems greater than ever. Because the 32-year-old is moving up for Corona-infected Sergio Perez.

Nico Hülkenberg is about to make a lightning comeback in Formula 1. As Hülkenberg confirmed RTL / ntv, the 32-year-old climbed the Great Britain GP at Silverstone (Sunday from 2 p.m. live on RTL and online on TVNOW, the 1st and 2nd free training on Friday is broadcast live by ntv.de) into the racing point cockpit for Sergio Perez infected with the corona virus, provided that he himself is tested negative for Covid-19. The test result is still pending.

Hülkenberg could then replace Perez at Racing Point for two races instead of one. Because: After his infection and the necessary quarantine, the Mexican will definitely miss the second Silverstone weekend from August 7th to 9th. Then the premier class drives again on the traditional track where the first Formula 1 race was held in 1950 – it will be the first Grand Prix that is not named after its venue, but bears 70 years of F1 in its name.

For Hülkenberg – assuming a negative test result – it would be a return to a former team. The 177-time GP starter drove in the 2012 season and from 2014 to 2016 for Racing Point’s predecessor, Force India. His teammate during this time: Sergio Perez. Hülkenberg then switched to Renault, but the French factory team has fallen short of expectations since he returned.

The German is therefore beckoning with something that he has rarely had in recent years: an absolutely competitive car. Racing Point has a surprisingly strong package with its silver arrow copy, is in the front this year and surprised two weeks ago in Hungary in qualifying with third (for Lance Stroll) and fourth (Perez).

In the Home of British Motor Racing, Hülkenberg could finally do what he was always denied in 177 F1 races: a place on the podium. It would be a very special point of an already extraordinary season.

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