Nico Hülkenberg has no illusions about a return to F1
The German driver believes that time is running out for him to find a full-time seat in Formula 1.
The last full season of Nico Hülkenberg in F1 was in 2019 with Renault, the German driver had been replaced within the French team by Esteban Ocon. Since then, he took a step back from motorsport before being recalled by Racing Point (former name of Aston Martin), for the two races at Silverstone and for the Eifel GP last year.
The one who was nicknamed Hülkenback after his 3 appearances last season was hoping to achieve his first podium in F1 after many years of waiting, in vain.
Without a permanent steering wheel, the German is nevertheless the reserve driver for Aston Martin and could replace Sebastian Vettel or Lance Stroll in case of a problem, as he did perfectly in 2020. However, even though he has taken a step back, he misses motor racing and would like to get back into action.
« To be honest, I miss racing a bit and I feel that I can definitely still offer a lot to motorsport as an active driver,” Nico Hülkenberg told Bild Am Sonntag.
« The break (since 2019) has made my life a little more relaxed, of course. As an F1 pilot, you have to be there every weekend, you are analyzed and under constant control of the team and engineers. You really become aware of the constant pressure once you are out. But having this distance did me good because it gave me the opportunity to reflect on the past 10 years.
Interviewed about a possible return to F1 next year, the former Renault driver remains very vague but asserts that the number of teams he is in contact with « can be counted on one hand ». However, the German has no illusions about the team that would recruit him in case of a return.
« Seriously, I think everyone can determine for themselves where they could go, and I have no illusion that the door is closed to me in the best teams. »
Soon to be 34 years old, the winner of the 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans with Porsche says that 2022 could be his last chance and that a late return to Fernando Alonso is unlikely.
« Well, Fernando Alonso was absent for two years and he came back. But he is also a double world champion. So I know how realistic I have to be. If it doesn’t work now, then the chapter of Formula 1 will be over for me. »
