Verstappen reckons 'it's going to be tough' for Hulkenberg

Max Verstappen is predicting a tough return to the grid this weekend in Bahrain for Aston Martin super-sub Nico Hulkenberg, as F1's new generation cars are completely foreign to the German driver.

Hulkenberg was drafted in this week by Aston Martin after Sebastian Vettel tested positive for Covid-19.

Hulkenberg's last F1 race dates back to the 2020 Eifel Grand Prix, and while the 34-year-old has experienced F1's new ground effect design in the simulator, he has yet to drive a new generation car in the real world as well as sample Pirelli's new 18-inch tyres.

Verstappen therefore believes that the Hulk is facing multiple challenges and a steep learning curve this weekend.

"I don't know how much he worked out!" Verstappen said. "Luckily, this track is not the most physical out there, but if you haven't really done a lot in terms of F1 fitness levels, it's still, I think, going to be quite a tough one.

"I already spoke to him this morning and I think he is of course very excited to drive, but he also doesn't know the car, so it's going to be quite a big learning curve for him."

Hulkenberg isn't the only driver who last competed in a Grand Prix in 2020 to return to the fray this weekend, with Kevin Magnussen also racing once again in F1.

But the Dane at least enjoyed a few test sessions with Haas last week at Sakhir to allow him to get acquainted with the US outfit's new car. Hulkenberg hasn't had that luxury.

"The cars are completely new to him, [and] he hasn't driven the [18-inch] tyres," added Verstappen.

"And to only have the free practice sessions while everyone really had a good run [in testing], except maybe Kevin of course, it's going to be tough, for sure."

• Read also: Verstappen 'boosted, not burdened' by world champion status - Vettel

Vettel was the second driver to test positive for Covid in a week, with McLaren's Daniel Ricciardo also contracting the coronavirus and forced to isolate for seven days.

But with countries globally lifting restrictions, Covid cases could be set to increase once again.

Verstappen suggested that at some point in the future, a driver testing positive but who remains asymptomatic should perhaps be allowed to compete.

"I do think we need to look into it, because when you test positive, well, you can test positive with any virus," commented the Red Bull driver.

"So, at one point, I do think we need to ease off on the positive case [meaning that] you cannot race because, I think nowadays, in most countries - when you are vaccinated, anyway - you might get ill, but it's not life-threatening anymore, for most of the people, luckily.

"And of course you can take safety measures, even if you are positive, you might stay away from people.

"But [it's] something maybe us drivers also need to look into, what we can do with the FIA in the future."

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