Hulkenberg takes on dual reserve role with Aston, Mercedes
Nico Hulkenberg has confirmed he will take on a dual reserve driver role this year for both the Aston Martin and Mercedes Formula 1 teams.
The German, who was a super-sub last year after filling in at Racing Point for three race weekends, failed to land a full-time drive for this year but will maintain a close contact with the series.
Speaking on Austrian channel ServusTV, with which he will work as a pundit for in 2021, Hulkenberg said that he had finalised a deal to be on call for two teams this year.
“[I will work] as a reserve driver for Aston Martin and also for Mercedes in selected races,” he said.
As previously reported by Motorsport.com, the Mercedes demand is for those events where its regular reserves Stoffel Vandoorne and Nyck de Vries are not available because of conflicts with their Formula E commitments.
There are currently three direct clashes of F1 and FE races this year.
The Spanish Grand Prix on May 9 clashes with Monaco FE, the Monaco GP on May 23 clashes with the Marrakesh FE event, and the Azerbaijan GP on June 6 clashes with Santiago.
Furthermore, the Santiago double header, allied to ongoing travel restrictions because of coronavirus, could make things difficult for Vandoorne and de Vries to get to the Canadian GP on June 13.
It is understood that the Hulkenberg deal means he would be available to Mercedes at those events where Vandoorne and de Vries are busy elsewhere.
Hulkenberg proved his worth as a substitute at Racing Point in 2020, when he replaced both Sergio Perez (at Silverstone) and Lance Stroll (at the Nurburgring) in the cockpit following coronavirus infections. He scored points on both occasions.
Between 2010 and 2020, the 33-year-old took part in 178 grands prix for Williams, Force India, Sauber, Renault and Racing Point, but never finished on the podium.
In addition to Hulkenberg, longtime Mercedes test driver Esteban Gutierrez has also been given a new role after being named as a brand and business ambassador.
He will work with team management, the commercial department and marketing in the future to help cultivate business relations in the Latin American market.
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