Sebastian Vettel: Aston Martin confirm German's absence for second race running

Aston Martin have confirmed that Sebastian Vettel will not be driving for the team again this weekend at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, as he continues to recover from covid-19.

The Silverstone-based team have had a bit of a difficult start to the Formula 1 campaign for one reason or another, with them struggling for performance at the first race in Bahrain last weekend, and also seeing their preparation for the new season upset by Vettel’s absence.

Indeed, a late positive test was returned on the eve of the Bahrain GP earlier this month, and Nico Hulkenberg had to step in for his compatriot, with him doing a really solid job despite the lack of mileage.

And, with the Saudi race following Bahrain so closely, it always seemed possible that Seb would miss a second Grand Prix.

On Thursday, Aston Martin said that Vettel had yet to return a negative test for covid but that they would wait and see what Friday would bring before making a decision, leaving it as late as possible for a final call before first practice later on today.

However, it is clear that another test has still proven positive for Seb, and Hulkenberg gets a second weekend at the wheel.

An Aston statement read:

“Nico Hulkenberg will practice, qualify and race alongside Lance Stroll. Despite lack of mileage in the AMR22, Nico coped well in Bahrain and we are sure he will do likewise in Jeddah. We expect Sebastian Vettel to be fit for the Australian GP.”

A tough break for Seb and Aston, then, but it is a reminder that the virus is still lingering around and the drivers are going to have to remain careful.

Saying that, some of the drivers have begun to wonder whether they’d still be able to drive with covid, providing they perhaps kept in isolation over the course