Sebastian Vettel missed the 2022 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix last weekend due to Covid, and Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack does not know if the German can race in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in a few days.
Covid is a hideous affair, but so was Aston Martin's first racing outing of the 2022 F1 season at the Bahrain Grand Prix, and with a recovering Sebastian Vettel enduring Covid, it was fellow German driver Nico Hulkenberg who was enduring the pain of driving the woeful AMR22 around Sakhir.
The team qualified 17th and 19th with Hulkenberg impressively beating Lance Stroll, despite no track time in the car before the race weekend. Hulkenberg finished the race where he started in 17th, as Stroll made amends to finish 12th, but still no points for his efforts.
One can only imagine what Vettel was thinking as he watched the plight of his team in Bahrain, and would be challenged to be upbeat when he gets back into the car, something the team are not sure will happen in Saudi Arabia.
Vettel sounding less rough, but no confirmation on his return
New Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack spoke to the media after the Bahrain race about his ill driver's situation: "He was participating in the debrief, he was sounding less rough than he was sounding a couple of days ago.
"But we do not know," was his response when asked if the four-time World Champion will race at the 2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
"We will see how he goes for the next days. We hope he will be back soon," he added.
Vettel's return will be decided based on both Saudi Arabia's COVID-19 protocols and the internal ones at Aston Martin according to Krack who revealed: "[It's] a bit of both, but to be honest I am not 100% aware of the Saudi regulations.
"If he has a negative test, it will be easy. Better to get it now than in two weeks' time," the Aston Martin boss admitted.
When asked by Motorsport.com if he will still deputize for his compatriot in Jeddah, Hulkenberg said: "No, not yet. I don't know.
"I'm just going anyway on standby and as a reserve, and I guess we'll we'll find out on Thursday or Friday," the Hulk revealed.
With all the best wishes for Sebastian to get better soon, his presence with his team at these tough moments will be crucial as his experience will be invaluable to help Aston Martin out of the hole they currently are in.
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