NICO HULKENBERG is on standby for Racing Level ought to both of its drivers fail one other Covid-19 check at this weekend’s Portuguese GP.
The German changed Lance Stroll, who missed the Eifel GP after complaining of feeling unwell earlier than flying dwelling to Switzerland, the place he examined optimistic.
Lance Stroll is ready to return in Portimao after lacking the Eifel GPCredit score: Splash Information
Nico Hulkenberg has stepped in twice for Racing Level and is primed to take action once more this weekendCredit score: Getty Photographs – Getty
Hulkenberg additionally filled in for Sergio Perez in two races at Silverstone after he too examined optimistic after flying again to Mexico to go to his mum.
Crew boss Otmar Szafnauer stated: “Nico is right here in Portugal and I believe different groups have additionally opted to carry reserve drivers for the primary time.
“It simply is sensible to have reserve drivers.
“Nico is right here as a precaution and I’m assured Lance will probably be within the automobile this weekend.”
Stroll revealed he had examined optimistic for Covid-19 after missing the Nurburgring race however questions have been raised as to why Racing Level didn’t check him sooner if he was feeling unwell.
The Canadian returned a unfavourable check on Tuesday however didn’t endure one other check till Sunday night – regardless of mixing along with his staff members.
Szafnauer has defended his staff’s determination to not check his driver, insisting he was advised that his signs weren’t Covid associated.
He stated: “He had the identical signs he had in Russia the place we examined him twice thereafter and he got here again twice unfavourable.
“The one factor Lance did is he known as his physician. So what ought to I do? So as an alternative of listening to Otmar he known as his physician. I am not a doctor.
“He is Lance’s non-public doctor in Switzerland. It was a telephone name. It was the identical man Lance noticed after Russia.
So what ought to I do? As an alternative of listening to Otmar he known as his physician. I am not a doctor.
Otmar Szafnauer
“So he is obtained a abdomen upset after Russia, we examined him a few occasions, Lance went and noticed the physician in Switzerland so known as him.”
In the meantime, in an intriguing twist, Stroll’s father Lawrence, who owns Racing Level and Aston Martin, additionally examined optimistic for Covid-19 on the identical day as his son – regardless of not being in Russia or Germany.
Szafnauer added: “Lawrence went to Aston Martin that weekend and was there on Thursday the place he examined and he obtained a consequence on Friday that was unfavourable.
“After which when Lance landed and examined, Lawrence examined on the identical time once more. After which each assessments got here again optimistic.”
