Nico Hulkenberg will be a reserved driver for both Aston Martin and Mercedes in the Formula One 2021 season.
Hulkenberg enjoyed it as an “super-sub” F1 in 2020, representing for Racing Point at three different events – doing so twice for Sergio Perez, once for Lance Stroll after advanced COVID-19 tests. Unsuccessful full-time driving for 2021 failed.
Ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, Hulkenberg has confirmed to Austrian TV channel Servus that he will end his duel career this year. He will remain the reserve for the rebranded Racing Point team, now known as Aston Martin, and will also represent for Mercedes when the existing reserve drivers are not Stoffel Vandoorne and Nyck. de Vries available because of their Formula E promises.
Three F1 events are currently taking place against Formula E races – the Spanish GP on 9 May, the Monaco GP on 24 May and the Azerbaijan GP on 6 June. Ongoing travel restrictions could complicate Vandoorne and De Vries getting from Santiago to Montreal for a Canadian GP on June 13th.
Hulkenberg was praised for his achievements in 2020. At the 70th anniversary Grand Prix he received a third-place certificate, encouraging such as Daniel Ricciardo to say he deserved full-time driving.
Between 2010 and 2020 he has competed in 178 F1 races. He currently holds the inaccessible record for the biggest F1 race starting without a podium finish.