2019 Report – Nico Hülkenberg: Farewell Season or Just Goodbye?

One could unfortunately say that the 2019 German Grand Prix quite accurately represents Nico Hülkenberg’s career.

In this extraordinary Grand Prix, raced on home turf for the main party involved, Hülkenberg climbed up the rankings due to his consistency and regularity, aided by the events but also thanks to his excellent driving skills.

The Renault driver finds himself in 3rd place with the opportunity to finally step onto the podium that has eluded him for so many years. And then, a tiny driving error sends him into the wall, with almost general indifference (except perhaps from the German spectators present) once again forces him to watch the opportunity slip away from him.

His 2019 season had started well with a promising 7th place in Australia, suggesting a good season ahead for him. Alas, except in Canada and Italy (where he finished 5th, his best result of the season), he would not be able to return to the top 7.

Although he demonstrated consistency once again, more so than Ricciardo, by finishing in the points 10 times, he paradoxically never finished as the best of the rest this season, despite having been the “Best of the Rest” in the overall standings last year, finishing in 7th place.

This year, with a total of 37 points, Hulk finishes the season in 14th place, marking his worst campaign in terms of points since his first season in 2010 (14th with 22 points). Far from the standards he had accustomed us to.

Missed Opportunities for a Wasted Talent

Because when it comes to talent, Nico Hülkenberg isn’t lacking! A perfect career in junior formulas, a first learning year with Williams in 2010 alongside veteran Rubens Barrichello, which saw him clinch his first (and only) pole in Brazil and… being thanked for the first time to make way for the petro-dollars of Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado.

This is followed by a year in anonymity as the third driver for Force India, and here he is again in 2012 with the Indian team where, once again in Brazil, he misses the opportunity to secure a podium or more by colliding with Lewis Hamilton while they were both leading.

A good year at Sauber sees him getting closer to Ferrari, where he signs a pre-contract to replace Felipe Massa the following year… but gets overtaken by Kimi Räikkönen, who also made a comeback! Another missed opportunity.

He finds refuge the following season at Force India, where he will coexist for 3 seasons with Mexican driver Sergio Perez. A healthy rivalry where the two drivers motivate each other, scoring approximately the same number of points but without ever making a real standout performance.

When Renault offered him a contract in 2017, the German finally believed he had the opportunity to join a manufacturer that would allow him to reach the much-anticipated podium. What followed is well known, and it ultimately came to nothing.

2019, The last year of his career?

2019 German Grand Prix, once again, perhaps one time too many. Because while we can’t rewrite history, who knows what that podium might have changed in Renault’s decision to keep him or not.

Like his replacement Esteban Ocon last year, Nico finds himself without a seat for next season and hopes to bounce back in 2021 like the Frenchman did this year.

But his age (32 years) and his reputation as a “pilot without a podium” could play against him, and therefore, 2019 might be his last year in Formula 1.

Wait and see!