Hulkenberg confirms role as Mercedes and Aston Martin reserve driver

Nico Hülkenberg is set to be the reserve driver for Mercedes and Aston Martin. The German will not return to the grid this year, but he does have a chance to make a surprise appearance.

Hulkenberg confirmed the role as reserve driver himself to ServusTV. The German will be active at Aston Martin and Mercedes and will therefore be a regular visitor to the paddock in 2021.

The experienced driver drove three Grand Prix weekends for Racing Point last season when Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll were in quarantine after being infected with the coronavirus. At the time, Aston Martin team principal Otmar Szafnauer hinted that he would like to have Hulkenberg as a permanent reserve driver.

However, the chances of seeing Hulkenberg in a Formula 1 car in 2021 are not very high. Stroll has already been infected with the virus and should still have antibodies and the same goes for Lewis Hamilton. Also, George Russell seems to be the preferred driver for Mercedes, should one of their drivers suddenly drop out.