Brendan Lines 31st July, 2020 09:58pm

FP1 for the British Grand Prix heralded a surprise return to Formula 1 for Nico Hülkenberg, P9 in his first drive since 2019 proves he’s just the man Racing Point could call on.

Hülkenberg stepped in for Sergio Perez, who is safe and well quarantining in the team’s motorhome after testing positive for COVID-19 on Thursday.

Hülkenberg’s return was a baptism of fire, having only 45 minutes of simulator practice at the team’s Silverstone factory.

“I was on my way to the Nürburgring for another racing project when the call from Otmar came.” Hülkenberg said before FP1.

“That was less than 24 hours ago, so it feels a bit surreal for me right now, but I like a good challenge and this is certainly one,

“It’s obviously a difficult situation for Racing Point and Checo. He’s a buddy of mine, an old team-mate and I wish him a speedy recovery. I’ll step in and try do the best I can for the team!”

After a brief track acclimatsation, Hülkenberg radioed his team for changes to the RP20 cockpit, still needing some massaging to fit the tall German’s frame.

Hülkenberg’s fastest lap of 1:28.592 was just half a second slower than teammate Lance Stroll in P3.

Racing Point’s decision to minimise disruption to its strong start to the 2020 campaign, is well justified by his FP1 result.

Racing Point Team principal Otmar Szafnauer says Nico’s familiarity with the team was a deciding factor over the other drivers available to the team.

“Having to find a replacement for Sergio at short notice is no easy task, but in Nico we’ve got a fantastic supersub who the team knows very well. He’s certainly being thrown in at the deep end, but he’s a fast learner and I’m sure he will get up to speed quickly,” he said.

Hülkenberg raced for the team as Force India between 2014 and 2016 as a regular Top 10 finisher in the Drivers’ Standings.

In 2019 Hülkenberg was overlooked to remain at Renault, ousting him from F1 — at the time Hülkenberg said; “It doesn’t feel like the end yet.”

The 177 Grands Prix veteran may be right as he may keep the seat for next week’s race at Silverstone while Perez is likely to remain in quarantine.

FP2 begins 11.30pm local time tonight.