Hulk had ‘a lot of emotions’ on latest F1 return

Nico Hulkenberg said he had to deal with a flood of information and emotions on his Formula 1 return in Bahrain.

The German has become F1’s ‘super sub’ since the pandemic took a grip and is now making his fourth stand-in appearance on a race weekend.

The previous three came in 2020 – at back-to-back Silverstone grands prix for Sergio Perez and later that year at the Nurburgring for Lance Stroll.

Those were for the Racing Point team, which is now Aston Martin, and Hulkenberg remains their reserve driver – so when Sebastian Vettel tested positive for COVID-19 in the build-up to the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, it was Hulkenberg who got the call.

The first time he had driven the AMR22 on track was in Friday practice and the 34-year-old ended the two sessions 14th and 17th respectively – on the latter occasion only a tenth of a second down on his team-mate Stroll.

It's not every day you get called up to drive the #AMR22.

You smashed it out there today, @HulkHulkenberg. Let's keep pushing. Join us as we debrief Friday with #NH27.#F1 #BahrainGP pic.twitter.com/Ws1BNkAjTn

— Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) March 18, 2022

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“I started from plain zero this morning and got settled in quite okay,” said