Nico Hulkenberg said he had to deal with a flood of information and emotions on his Formula 1 return in Bahrain.

The German has become F1’s ‘super sub’ since the pandemic took a grip and is now making his fourth stand-in appearance on a race weekend.

The previous three came in 2020 – at back-to-back Silverstone grands prix for Sergio Perez and later that year at the Nurburgring for Lance Stroll.

Those were for the Racing Point team, which is now Aston Martin, and Hulkenberg remains their reserve driver – so when Sebastian Vettel tested positive for COVID-19 in the build-up to the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, it was Hulkenberg who got the call.