Nico Hulkenberg will replace Sergio Perez at Racing Point for the British Grand Prix, Inside Racing understands
The German left Formula 1 at the end of last year having been replaced by Esteban Ocon at Renault for 2020, but of course previously spent five seasons at the team then known as Force India, initially as reserve driver before racing for them in 2012 and between 2014-2016.
His return comes after Perez initially tested “inconclusive” for Covid-19 ahead of this weekend’s race at Silverstone, before being confirmed as positive in a second test on Thursday.
Racing Point does have an agreement in place with Mercedes to use their reserve drivers should the need to replace their usual race drivers emerge.
However, Stoffel Vandoorne is unavailable as he prepares for six Formula E races in just nine days to round out that championship in Berlin.
And it is understood team owner Lawrence Stroll preferred the experience of Hulkenberg over Esteban Gutierrez, who hasn’t competed in F1 since leaving Haas at the end of 2016.
Nico himself has tested negative for Covid-19 and is having a seat fitting at Racing Point’s Silverstone factory to be ready ahead of practice on Friday.
