Szafnauer: 'We are lucky that Nico is here'

It's official: Nico Hulkenberg replaces the sick Lance Stroll in qualifying this afternoon. Stroll could not participate in FP3, and Hulkenberg happened to be at the circuit.

During the last free practice session, it became clear that Lance Stroll would not drive. There was little movement to be seen in his garage and a little later his team Racing Point also reported that he wouldn't come out due to illness. Rumours soon surfaced that Hulkenberg would replace the sick Stroll. The German happened to be on the track because of media obligations.

Otmar Szafnauer, team boss at Racing Point, says it's going to be an increasingly crazy weekend, after not racing at all yesterday due to the bad weather conditions. "It's just as crazy as Silverstone. We are lucky that Nico is here. We are lucky to have his seat with us on every track".

Szafnauer also says that Lance Stroll does not have a corona. "He's not feeling well, but he doesn't think it's because of COVID, because he was tested negative before coming to the track."