Racing Point hopeful Perez can return in Barcelona
General
Prior to the first Grand Prix at Silverstone, it was announced that Sergio Perez tested positive for the coronavirus. He therefore had to be quarantined for seven days, but after those seven days the Mexican has still returned a positive result. Nico Hulkenberg will take his place at Racing Point this weekend. The team is hopeful that Perez will return in Barcelona.
Perez was approved by the Public Health England after his mandatory quarantine period, but due to another positive test he has to go back into quarantine. The team now hopes that Perez will be allowed to race in Spain.
"Yes, I do," explained Otmar Szafnauer to Formula1.com.
"The current situation is far from ideal."
Nico is very strong this weekend
"But it's the time in which we live now, he's tested positive and we need to do the right thing. That's exactly what we're doing."
Hulkenberg is performing well at Racing Point, but they'll want Perez back soon.
"Checo knows the car well and he also has a lot of connections within the team. In addition, he's a good driver and can qualify well.
"We did our best to find the best replacement, in the form of Nico who also knows the team well from his past. However, it is not at all the same as your normal driver in the car."
Yet Szafnauer also has confidence in Hulkenberg.
"He's still learning, it's all different than before. It's a huge pity he couldn't race, but I expect he will be very strong this weekend."