Nico Hülkenberg becomes reserve driver for Aston Martin

According to a report, Nico Hülkenberg is to be confirmed as an Aston Martin test and replacement driver.

The German would continue his ties with the Silverstone-based team he raced for 2011-12 and again from 2014-16 when they were known as Force India.

In addition, Hülkenberg made a few “guest appearances” for the team under the Racing Point banner last season when their regular drivers fell ill.

The 33-year-old represented Sergio Perez at the two races at Silverstone in August after the Mexican was infected with COVID-19, and then again for Lance Stroll at the Eifel Grand Prix at the Nürburgring when the Canadian with an illness, which led to the fact that he later tested positive for the coronavirus.

With 179 starts, Hülkenberg holds the Formula 1 record for most Grand Prix races without a podium. His best position was three times P4, two of them in Belgium.

Aston Martin team principal Otmar Szafnauer recently said Hulkenberg would get a role in the renamed operation from Lawrence Stroll.

And now the F1 insider report ‘The Hulk’ is “on the way to Aston Martin as test and reserve driver”. “The plan is that Hülkenberg is not on site at every race, but has a standby line just in case,” they added.

I wish you all a happy #LunarNewYear! # IAMF1 pic.twitter.com/y2s2dCI2Xl

– Aston Martin Cognizant F1 Team (@ AstonMartinF1) February 12, 2021

Face covers for the driver and team are now available in the official Formula 1 store!

Szafnauer’s comment “Watch this space” came during an interview with RTL.

When asked if Hülkenberg would be the replacement driver for Aston Martin, as he was for Racing Point in 2020, Szafnauer added: “Could be very good. There’s nothing to announce yet, but check out this room. We are close to Nico and are in talks with him. That would be great for all of us. “

An official connection with the team would mean that Hülkenberg works alongside his compatriot Sebastian Vettel, who joined Ferrari after six years.

On the other side of the garage, the four-time ex-world champion has the son of the team owner Stroll jnr.

Hülkenberg’s arrival would further strengthen German ties to Aston Martin, because in addition to Vettel they will use Mercedes engines again in 2021.

Tobias Moers, 54 from Freiburg, former CEO of Mercedes-AMG, also took on the corresponding role in August at Aston Martin Lagonda, in which Daimler has a 20% stake.

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