Racing Point boss Otmar Szafnauer says Nico Hulkenberg’s prior time with the team meant he was given the nod to fill in for Lance Stroll, rather than Stoffel Vandoorne. Vandoorne has been present at the Eifel Grand Prix in his role as Mercedes reserve driver and both Racing Point and McLaren have an agreement to use the marque’s back-up if he is required. When Racing Point needed a replacement at Silverstone Vandoorne was not in attendance due to his Formula E commitments and it transpired that Mercedes’ other option, Esteban Gutierrez, did not meet the Super Licence requirements. Hulkenberg was in nearby Cologne, and set the travel to the Nürburgring, when he received the call to...
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