Hulkenberg returns: 'He's used to that by now'

399c3cb97d94bd90601c0d12949fb920c08d411e

11:57, 17 Mar 2022

Nico Hulkenberg will replace Sebastian Vettel at the Bahrain Grand Prix. Although many people are sorry for Vettel that he tested positive for the corona virus, the return of 'The Hulk' is a source of great joy.

Vettel must skip Bahrain

Hulkenberg is a beloved person in Formula 1. The sympathetic German may never have reached the podium in the premier class of motorsport, but he is still very highly regarded by his former teammates, competitors and also the people around the track. The fact that he no longer has a seat in Formula 1 is therefore considered a shame by many.

That sentiment is reflected in the reactions after Aston Martin's announcement. Although it is of course a shame for Vettel that he can't compete, many people would like to see Hulkenberg participate in a race again. Read below the reactions after the announcement of his return.

Praise for Hulkenberg

Tom Coronel

@TomCoronel

·Follow

HULKENBACK 💪💪 Photo model or racing driver? 👇 Anyway.. he’s back for the #BahrainGP! Are you happy to see Nico Hülkenberg back in F1? 👇 Sebastian Vettel tested positive and can’t join the season opener #BahrainGP. #Hulkenback

10:28 AM · Mar 17, 2022

203

Read 15 replies

Matt Gallagher

@MattP1Gallagher

·Follow

It's great to have Hulkenburg back on the grid for a race but in exchange for Seb... I don't think that's a fair trade ☹️ Get well soon champ!

10:18 AM · Mar 17, 2022

7.6K

Read 39 replies

Oracle Red Bull Racing

@redbullracing

·Follow

Replying to @AstonMartinF1

Get well soon, Seb. We'll miss you at the track this weekend.

9:49 AM · Mar 17, 2022

·Follow

Replying to @AstonMartinF1

Get well soon, Seb! 🙏

9:55 AM · Mar 17, 2022

125

Read 1 reply

Tim Coronel

@TimCoronel

·Follow

WoW he is BACK 💪🚀 #nicohulkenberg replaces #vettel #F1 #BahreinGP

9:51 AM · Mar 17, 2022

643

Read 32 replies

Will Buxton

@wbuxtonofficial

·Follow

With Ricciardo’s positive test in testing a lot of us questioned why nobody save for the Ferrari powered teams had run their reserve for even half a day in these very different cars. Steep learning curve for Hulkenberg. He’s become used to that though. Get well soon Seb.

9:37 AM · Mar 17, 2022

·Follow

This will be the first F1 race weekend without Sebastian Vettel driving since the 2007 European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring. One DNS in that time - here in Bahrain in 2016 #F1 #BahrainGP

9:37 AM · Mar 17, 2022

·Follow

OMG 😱 The Hulk is Back!

Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team

@AstonMartinF1

UPDATE: Sebastian Vettel has tested positive for COVID-19 and will therefore not be taking part in the 2022 #BahrainGP. Replacing him in the AMR22 will be Reserve Driver @HulkHulkenberg, who will be in the car from FP1 onwards. #F1

9:37 AM · Mar 17, 2022

Read 3 replies

Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team

@MercedesAMGF1

·Follow

Get well soon, Seb. 🙏 Welcome back @HulkHulkenberg! 👋

9:33 AM · Mar 17, 2022

·Follow

Hulk is back, again!

Chris Medland

@ChrisMedlandF1

BREAKING: Sebastian Vettel is out of the Bahrain Grand Prix after testing positive for COVID. Nico Hulkenberg will replace him this weekend #F1 #BahrainGP

9:30 AM · Mar 17, 2022

Don’t miss GPblog in Google

Mark us as a preferred source and our articles will appear more often at the top of Top Stories.

Add as a preferred / source on Google

Verstappen is first to join renewed press conferences

'Mirror war' averted? Mercedes does not need to adjust mirrors

Track marshal speaks out after Bezzecchi slap incident: 'I understand his situation'

MotoGP•

Jun 21, 11:05

•Andrew McLarney

by Andrew McLarney

Ex-F1 team principal says Aston Martin 'make Cadillac look good' in brutal assessment

F1 News•

Jun 21, 11:00

•Kieran Lynch

by Kieran Lynch

Sainz sends warning to Williams over 2028 ambitions: "How long am I willing to wait?"

F1 News•

Jun 21, 10:24

•Kieran Lynch

by Kieran Lynch

Aprilia and Bezzecchi appeal suspension as MotoGP stewards deliver their verdict

MotoGP•

Jun 21, 10:15

•Nicole Mulder

by Nicole Mulder

Suspended Bezzecchi issues public apology after physically assaulting a marshal

MotoGP•

Jun 21, 10:00

•Nicole Mulder

by Nicole Mulder

F1 LIVE | Hamilton backed for eighth title, Wolff accused of lowballing Verstappen

Live•

Jun 21, 09:09

•Henry Eccles

by Henry Eccles

Verstappen’s advice to Antonelli: “He needs to do it his way”

F1 News•

Jun 21, 08:01

•Kada Sarkozi

by Kada Sarkozi

F1 Today | Hamilton warns English fans, Ferrari tipped to shine in Austria as well

F1 News•

Jun 20, 21:01

•Kada Sarkozi

Times are in your local timezone

Rumors

More Rumors

Popular on GPBlog

Villeneuve blasts Hamilton's 'stupid' comment: 'Why would he say that?'

Championship leader Bezzecchi banned from Czech GP after striking track marshal

Ferrari tipped to shine in Austria: 'I would expect they remain the fastest car in the corners'

Ricciardo resurfaces with candid open letter after Indy 500 appearance

F1-stand 2026

Pos.	Driver	Team	Points
1	Kimi Antonelli Kimi Antonelli	MercedesMER	156
2	Lewis Hamilton Lewis Hamilton	FerrariFER	115
3	George Russell George Russell	MercedesMER	106
4	Charles Leclerc Charles Leclerc	FerrariFER	75
5	Lando Norris Lando Norris	McLarenMCL	73
6	Oscar Piastri Oscar Piastri	McLarenMCL	70
7	Max Verstappen Max Verstappen	Red Bull RacingRBR	55
8	Isack Hadjar Isack Hadjar	Red Bull RacingRBR	37
9	Pierre Gasly Pierre Gasly	AlpineALP	32
10	Liam Lawson Liam Lawson	Racing BullsRCB	28
11	Franco Colapinto Franco Colapinto	AlpineALP	19
12	Oliver Bearman Oliver Bearman	HaasHAA	18
13	Arvid Lindblad Arvid Lindblad	Racing BullsRCB	14
14	Carlos Sainz Carlos Sainz	WilliamsWIL	6
15	Alexander Albon Alexander Albon	WilliamsWIL	5
16	Esteban Ocon Esteban Ocon	HaasHAA	3
17	Gabriel Bortoleto Gabriel Bortoleto	AudiAUD	2
18	Fernando Alonso Fernando Alonso	Aston MartinAST	1
19	Nico Hulkenberg Nico Hulkenberg	AudiAUD	0
20	Valtteri Bottas Valtteri Bottas	CadillacCAD	0
21	Sergio Perez Sergio Perez	CadillacCAD	0
22	Lance Stroll Lance Stroll	Aston MartinAST	0

Show Full Standings

Hulkenberg returns: 'He's used to that by now'

Vettel must skip Bahrain

Praise for Hulkenberg

Don’t miss GPblog in Google

Verstappen is first to join renewed press conferences

'Mirror war' averted? Mercedes does not need to adjust mirrors

Track marshal speaks out after Bezzecchi slap incident: 'I understand his situation'

Ex-F1 team principal says Aston Martin 'make Cadillac look good' in brutal assessment

Sainz sends warning to Williams over 2028 ambitions: "How long am I willing to wait?"

Aprilia and Bezzecchi appeal suspension as MotoGP stewards deliver their verdict

Suspended Bezzecchi issues public apology after physically assaulting a marshal

F1 LIVE | Hamilton backed for eighth title, Wolff accused of lowballing Verstappen

Verstappen’s advice to Antonelli: “He needs to do it his way”

F1 Today | Hamilton warns English fans, Ferrari tipped to shine in Austria as well

Track marshal speaks out after Bezzecchi slap incident: 'I understand his situation'

Ex-F1 team principal says Aston Martin 'make Cadillac look good' in brutal assessment

Sainz sends warning to Williams over 2028 ambitions: "How long am I willing to wait?"

Aprilia and Bezzecchi appeal suspension as MotoGP stewards deliver their verdict

Popular on GPBlog

Villeneuve blasts Hamilton's 'stupid' comment: 'Why would he say that?'

Championship leader Bezzecchi banned from Czech GP after striking track marshal

Ferrari tipped to shine in Austria: 'I would expect they remain the fastest car in the corners'

Ricciardo resurfaces with candid open letter after Indy 500 appearance

Season

Verstappen is first to join renewed press conferences

'Mirror war' averted? Mercedes does not need to adjust mirrors