Max ꧋Verstappen hopes Nico Hulkenberg’s starring performance in qualifying for Formula 1’s 70th Anniversary Grand Prix will “give him a seat for next year”ꦿ.

In just his s๊econd qualifying session at Silverstone since being called up to replace Racing Point regular Sergio Perez, who has tested positive for COVID-19, Hulkenberg impressed as he outqualified Max Verstappen’s Red Bull to claim third on the grid.

Hulkenberg was only slower than the dominant Mercedes duo of Valtteri Bottas and championship leader Lewis Hamilton, while he was four-tenths fa✱ster than Racing Point teammate Lance Stroll.

The 32-year-old German admitted he was surprised by his own performance and “didn't expect” to qualify thir💙d💙, despite the well-documented potential of his RP20.

Speaking ab🌟out Hulkenberg’s display, Verstappen said: “I'm very happy for Nico. He should have been already on the grid normally and I 🍎hope that this will give him a seat for next year.”

It marked Hulkenberg’s best qualifying result since he quali🍒fied inside the front two rows of the grid at the 2016 Austrian Grand Prix when he drove for the then-Force ๊India squad.

Six-times world champion Hamilt🏅on added: “He did a great job today and I hope he does a good job tomorrow. It's good to see him back.”

Daniel Ricciardo, who is targeting Hulkenberg in Sunday♑’s race after qualifying two positions behind his former Renault teammate in fifth, was also impressed by the German’s performance.

“The Hulk's come in - I think he's adjusted h𓂃is neck this week! - and he's free and ready to go! Honestly, hats off to him. We all know that car's working, but I don't just want to say it's the car.

"He has obviously done a really good job and to💎 be sitting on the couch for so long, it's not easy. Even though he's a veteran, it's not easy to do that - I don't c𝓀are what anyone says - so hats off to him, he's done a really good job."