Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel out of Bahrain GP due to Covid

Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel has tested positive for Covid-19 and will miss the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.

The four-time world champion will be replaced by the team’s reserve driver Nico Hulkenberg, who will be in the car from Friday practice.

It will be Hulkenberg’s first Grand Prix since the 2020 Eifel Grand Prix, when he stood in for Lance Stroll at Racing Point after the Canadian tested positive for Covid-19.

It was the third time he filled in for a race driver that year, having replaced Sergio Perez for the two race weekends at Silverstone.

Hulkenberg performed admirably over three races and, with vast F1 experience, has been linked with countless drives since.

But he will get his chance to shine again at the Bahrain GP.

The news comes after Daniel Ricciardo returned a positive test last week to miss the official pre-season test.

He has since tested negative and will return to the paddock on Thursday, in time to contest the race weekend alongside McLaren team mate Lando Norris.

There is also an F1 race on March 27 in Saudi Arabia. Should Vettel test negative before that race, he should be cleared to take part.