Well, folks, it looks like we haven’t seen the last of Nico Hulkenberg in the 2020 F1 season just yet. The German driver is back for yet another Grand Prix, suiting up for Racing Point yet again; however, this time he is slated to replace Lance Stroll who’s seemingly been under the weather.

After Racing Point confirmed that Stroll would not take part in qualifying and would hence also play no further part in this race weekend, the choice to give Nico an outing was a no brainer.

The announcement from the team read, “Nico Hulkenberg will drive for the BWT Racing Point F1 team in this weekend’s Eifel Grand Prix after Lance Stroll was taken unwell.

“Lance did not feel 100% this morning and the team took the decision not to run him for the rest of the event.  Nico, who previously deputized for Sergio Perez at the Silverstone events, is familiar with the car and team already, and fortunately was in nearby Cologne.”

The German had already reported at the Nurburgring for ‘broadcasting duties.’ Now he suddenly finds himself clad in his racing suit, gloves, and helmet.

To make the late change possible, the FIA granted him special dispensation considering he hadn’t taken part in any practice session this weekend (albeit two were washed out).

This will be the former Renault man’s third race this calendar year. Surely, not even Hulkenberg himself would have thought he’d be in the cockpit of an F1 car again in 2020. However, such is the nature of this season. It’s totally unpredictable.

Can Nico Hulkenberg finally bag the elusive podium?

With the German suddenly in the deep end once again, he would want to make the most of his chance. His previous two races in 2020, oscillated widely in fortunes.

He suffered heartbreak at the British Grand Prix when his car failed to get going before the lights went out; the next race, commemorating the 70th anniversary Grand Prix of Silverstone, saw Hulkenberg take to the tracks and come home in P7. What’s more, the German was an arm’s length away from a podium finish at one point; however, an ill-timed pit stop threw a spanner in the works.

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Nevertheless, while a podium is definitely a possibility, it’s far from guaranteed. After all, the German hasn’t been in F1 machinery for almost 2 months now and he’ll have no chance to practice. It’ll be a do or die situation for Hulkenberg at the Nurburgring.

Is the third time the charm? Can he finally get his maiden podium? Find out on the 11th of October.