Nico Hülkenberg ready to finish what he started
Returning as a full-time Formula 1 driver, Nico Hülkenberg reflects on his three-year break and expresses his ambitions for the 2023 season.
Renault driver from 2017 to 2019, Nico Hülkenberg then lost his seat and took a step back from F1 in 2020. After three years as a reserve driver, a role that kept him more or less away from the circuits, he regained a starting position at Haas for this season.
Three years on the bench
The 35-year-old German experienced ups and downs during this delicate period. While he initially needed to stay away from F1, the desire to drive quickly resurfaced.
“At the very beginning, in 2020, I wanted to take a step back, I needed it, so at that time, I was rather relaxed. Then suddenly, in 2021, there were weeks where it was harder to stay on the sidelines and watch the drivers coming out of the garage. In 2022, therefore, let’s say around ten months ago, that strong feeling of wanting to be back in control came back. Then, I had a clear intention, a clear plan, I wanted to pursue the opportunity to have a racing seat again,” he declares for the official F1 website.
In 2022, he participated in two races as a substitute for Sebastian Vettel, who tested positive for Covid-19. It was an opportunity for him to showcase himself, as he didn’t think he would have found a starting position otherwise.
I strongly doubt that without the two races at the beginning of last year, I would have obtained the seat. It put me back on the map with Günther [Steiner, the Haas team boss], with the team here. They saw: “Okay, this guy still knows where the accelerator pedal is!”
The beginning of a “second” career
In last November, Haas announces the appointment of the driver. His dream of returning to the asphalt full-time becomes a reality. In better shape, more mature, Nico Hülkenberg intends to make the most of this second chance that is given to him.
« I had time to think properly about everything, and my perspective on certain things has changed, there are certain things that I see differently. Obviously, I have a few more years, I am a father, he says.
« I am happy to be back, first of all, because it wasn’t clear and guaranteed that I would keep a full-time position. I am happy about that and being back behind the wheel. This is just the beginning, it’s a bit like the first week of school, if you will. Obviously, a lot of exciting things have happened, but with a new team, the first races are always like a new relationship – like the honeymoon phase – so everything is going well. »
« I want to have fun and I want to have a good season. I want to help the team grow, evolve in the right direction. I can’t give you a number now to quantify how many points I want to see on my account at the end of the year – as many as possible, obviously. »
For his first Grand Prix under his new colors in Bahrain last weekend, he made a great move by reaching Q3 on Saturday. He ultimately finishes the race in 15th position.
