Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsPirelli

Hulkenberg in action with Aston Martin in Budapest

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Nico Hulkenberg will return to the wheel of an F1 car this week at the Hungaroring as part of Aston Martin's contribution to Pirelli's 2023 tyre testing programme.

The test will kick off on Tuesday with Lance Stroll, with Hulkenberg – Aston's official reserve driver – taking over duties on Wednesday.

Hulkenberg last raced full-time in Formula 1 in 2019 with the Renault team, but in 2020 the 34-year-old substituted for Racing Point's Sergio Perez at Silverstone and for Stroll at the Nürburgring when the two were sidelined due to Covid.

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Hulkenberg was also called upon by the Silverstone-based outfit at the start of this year, to fill in for Sebastian Vettel in Bahrain and in Saudi Arabia when the German driver was hit with a bout of coronavirus.

This week's test in Budapest will reportedly also include the Mercedes team although the Brackley squad has not confirmed its driver line-up.

Pirelli 2023 test programme - which is conducted with F1's current-spec cars - has been spread over 18 days this year.

However, the Italian manufacturer has struggled to put together its calendar of test days due to the number of back-to-back races on F1's schedule.

Logistically, Pirelli can't handle a mid-week test between two races held on consecutive weekends, which restricted teams from running at Barcelona or Silverstone after the Spanish and British GPs.

Pirelli's next and final tyre test will take place with Red Bull Racing at Monza on September 13, right after the Italian Grand Prix.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.