Still Positive For COVID-19, Sebastian Vettel Absent From F1 Saudi Arabia

JAKARTA – Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel has been ruled out of the Saudi Arabia Formula 1 (F1) grand prix. He had to be sidelined because he was still positive for COVID-19.

The Saudi Arabian F1 series will take place on Monday, March 28. Vettel's position in the Aston Martin team will automatically be replaced again by reserve driver Nico Hulkenberg.

"@HulkHulkengber will be training, qualifying and racing with @lance_stroll," Aston Martin wrote on their official Twitter.

As a backup pilot, Hulkenberg would have been ready. However, he is currently still adjusting to his AMR22 mount.

"Despite only briefly riding the #AMR22, Nico coped well in Bahrain and we are confident he will do the same in Jeddah."

Hulkenberg finished 17th in the season-opening race in Bahrain last week. At that time Vettel was absent because of the same problem.

The COVID-19 that infected him has not recovered until now, so his opportunity to compete in Jeddah has been lost.

To that end, Aston Martin hopes Vettel is fit for the third round of the season in Australia next month. Aston Martin is currently in seventh place in the constructors' list standings.