Aston Martin's Sebastian Vettel has been declared fit to race in this weekend's Australian Grand Prix, ending his three-week absence due to COVID-19.

The four-time world champion missed the first two races of the season as he recovered from the disease, with reserve driver Nico Hulkenberg called up to fill in for him.

"After testing positive and missing the first two races, it feels a bit like arriving late to school, so I'm really keen to get going again," said Vettel ahead of the Melbourne race. "Starting my season in Australia is something I've done before, of course, and it's also great that Formula 1 is returning after a difficult couple of years.

"For me, after nearly a month out of the car, it will be important to learn throughout the practice sessions, and I hope we can take some steps forward in what is usually an exciting and unpredictable race."

The 34-year-old German has won the Australian Grand Prix three times in his career, and Aston martin will be hoping he can find form this weekend to put a strong show.

The British racing team is one of only two that are yet to score a point this season.

The Melbourne race comes back into the fold following a two-year hiatus triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Drivers will enjoy a revamped track, with several corners reprofiled and widened.

Vettel's compatriot at Aston Martin, Lance Stroll, is excited about his team’s prospects for the weekend race.

"I'm looking forward to sampling the revised layout and the resurfaced track, which will hopefully improve overtaking – especially into Turn 13, which has been tightened. In fact, it will be very interesting to see how these new ground effect cars perform here, as they should also hopefully make racing closer and more exciting," he said.