Vettel cleared for Aston Martin return

Sebastian Vettel has been cleared to make his F1 return with Aston Martin in Australia after missing the opening two races of the year after contracting the coronavirus.

The four-time F1 champion initially tested positive on March 17, the day prior to the opening practice sessions for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Aston Martin drafted in reserve driver Nico Hulkenberg for that race, with the German competing in his first F1 event for almost 18 months, and finishing 17th.

Vettel then failed to return a negative test ahead of the following weekend's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in which Hulkenberg was 12th.

But via a statement, the team said: "We are pleased to confirm that Sebastian Vettel is now fit to race and will therefore line up alongside Lance Stroll in Melbourne to kick off his 2022 season at the Australian Grand Prix."

Vettel has not driven the AMR 22 since pre-season testing in Bahrain in early March.

TEAM UPDATE: We are pleased to confirm that Sebastian Vettel is now fit to race and will therefore line up alongside @lance_stroll in Melbourne to kick off his 2022 @F1 season at the @ausgrandprix. ?#F1 #AusGP pic.twitter.com/LrFqaHyQ8W

— Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) March 31, 2022

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