Nico Hulkenberg, who featured in Formula 1 last year as a super-sub for Racing Point, was unable to find a full-time role in the sport despite impressive performances.
While a permanent job may not have come his way, the German will not be without a team for the 2021 season.
Not only will Hulkenberg fulfil the role of being an analyst for Austrian channel ServusTV, he confirmed that a deal has finally been confirmed to be on call for two teams.
“I will work as a reserve driver for Aston Martin and also for Mercedes in selected races,” Hulkenberg said.
Hulkenberg will act as Mercedes’ reserve driver when its regular reserves Stoffel Vandoorne and Nyck de Vries are busy with their Formula E commitments.
The current schedule sees three such instances. The first one will be during the Spanish Grand Prix, then the Monaco Grand Prix and eventually the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Travel restrictions in place could also make it tricky for the regular reserves to make it on time for the Canadian Grand Prix as well.
The deal reportedly states that Hulkenberg will make himself available for all those races that Mercedes requires him in.
Last year, Hulkenberg was more than handy while deputising for Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll (on different occasions) at Racing Point. The fact that he scored points both times only added to his reputation across the grid.
The fact that Hulkenberg never managed a podium finish despite racing for a host of teams across a 10-year career did not work in his favour when teams were looking to fill their vacancies in the off-season.
Will Hulkenberg prove his worth if given a chance at Mercedes? Let us know in the comments below.
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