How did Nico Hülkenberg end up at Racing Point?

What's the point of having one or more dedicated reservists if we don't call on their services when they are needed? This is undoubtedly the question that Esteban Gutiérrez must ask himself after seeing his ex-Sauber teammate Nico Hulkenberg inherit the seat of Sergio Pérez at Racing Point. 

The pink team has an agreement with its engine manufacturer Mercedes to mobilize, if necessary, the 3rd official drivers of the star which are Stoffel Vandoorne and the former Sauber driver and Haas. 

The Belgian being held back by his obligations in Formula e in Berlin, the Mexican held the rope. Only in theory because it appears that the candidacy of Gutiérrez, who lives in London and could therefore easily travel to Silverstone, was more considered as a fallback solution. In case option number 1 doesn't work.

As soon as Racing Point learned of Pérez's uncertain screening early Thursday afternoon, Otmar Szafnauer dialed the number of Hülkenberg, who played 4 seasons under the colors of Force India, the entity that preceded Racing Point (2012). , then 2014-16).

The German had just landed in his native country where he was expected at the premises of the RTL channel to serve as a consultant before participating in a GT4 test session at the Nürburgring. 

Time to collect a few things and find a flight to Birmingham (United Kingdom) and Hülkenberg was on his way to the Racing Point factory where he arrived in the evening to have his seat molded after having undergone a PCR test (nasal swab and oral). 

« We spoke with our engineering team and it emerged that Nico would be a better fit for the team., Szafnauer said this Friday. He knows the team, the engineers, the mechanics, our methods and our processes very well. He had already driven in our simulator. And he has recent experience of F1 modern since it was still running last year. We needed someone who could score points. Nico had the best profile in our eyes ». 

• Race against time

On Friday morning, Hülkenberg jumped into the Racing Point simulator to review the different procedures of the car. He also carried out a second screening to ensure that he did not carry the Coronavirus. At the same time, it was necessary to complete the usual administrative formalities such as drawing up a contract, verifying the Super License, requesting a change to the list of competitors, etc.

The positive verdict, unlike the test which was negative, fell just a few minutes before the start of Free Practice 1. Hülkenberg then put on a suit belonging to his new colleague Lance stroll and jumped into the RP20 to make the final adjustments.

The German, who was driving at Renault last year, never hid the fact that he had not left F1 of his own accord at the end of the last campaign. He was working hard to try to get back on the grid after being ousted to make way for Esteban Ocon. Hülkenberg now has a golden opportunity to show his qualities. An occasion that could well be repeated if Pérez is unavailable again next weekend. 

« The situation is quite uncertain in this regard because Checo tested positive on Wednesday, admitted Szafnauer. However, on that day, the isolation measures for sick people were 7 days in the United Kingdom. They have since increased to 10. If so, Nico will then ride for us next week as well ». 

Even if Pérez's quarantine was only supposed to last 7 days on paper, the Mexican, who displays no symptoms and fell out of the closet upon learning that he was positive for Covid-19, will however have to justify a negative screening to re-enter the F1 bubble.