F1 | Hulkenberg officially confirmed as Aston Martin’s reserve driver
“Hulk” is in green: Hulkenberg got back in the Circus as Aston Martin’s reserve driver for the 2021 season
People’s collective imagination was right, associating the green colour to the name Hulk, in Formula 1 as well. Nico Hulkenberg does indeed return in the Circus for the 2021 season by wearing green, as Aston Martin’s reserve and developing driver.
This role is the key to come back on the grid in Formula One for the German driver, after spending his first season off the Circus covering all the free spots he could in 2020, whenever a driver could not attend a race for COVID-19. This role of “super-sub” was very useful for Hulkenberg, as he could finally prove he is worthy of staying in the major Formula, after having spent ten years without conquering a podium.
“Hulk” showed off his precious mix of potential and experience, quickly adjusting to any car and jumping in at any moment, proving he is a Formula One racer without any doubt.
On the other hand, Aston Martin has already proved it has a sweet tooth for Germans who need a second chance, after hiring Sebastian Vettel for 2021. Finally yet importantly, we know that Hulkenback has already driven for Szafnauer.
Welcome home, @HulkHulkenberg. 🤜🤛
— Aston Martin Cognizant F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) April 8, 2021
Here's everything you need to know about the Hulk's new role as reserve and development driver for the 2021 season. #Hulkenback 💚
“First of all, it’s great to get this deal signed up with plenty of notice – last year, I didn’t have quite as much time to prepare before jumping in the car,'' said Hulkenberg to Motorsport.com.
“I’m really pleased to once again work with this team – with whom I have driven many times during my career. Obviously, I’m hoping that Sebastian and Lance enjoy uninterrupted seasons this year, but the team knows it can rely on me to step in and do an excellent job. I’m fully prepared to take on that challenge – he continued - It will also be interesting to help develop the team through the season, and I’m really looking forward to pulling great lap-times out of my arm sleeve.”
The German has all the trust of his new boss, Aston Martin’s CEO and Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer. “We’re delighted to be able to welcome Nico back to the team in an official capacity, as reserve and development driver for [the] Aston Martin Formula 1 team- Szafnauer echoed him - In these difficult times, the requirement for a capable and experienced reserve driver is especially important. Nico proved last year that he could jump in the car and perform superbly at a moment’s notice; now, with additional scope for preparation and integration, we know that we can rely on Nico to do an excellent job.”
Aston Martin is growing stronger in quality, now it needs to translate this quality into great performances on the track.
