Nico Hulkenberg, a veteran of the Formula 1 circuit for more than ten years, has yet to secure a spot on a top-tier team. Throughout his career, Hulkenberg has been unable to achieve a podium finish, largely due to his lack of opportunities with dominant teams. In light of this, the 36-year-old driver recently discussed his chances of joining one of the top teams in the future.
Since his debut with Williams in 2010, Hulkenberg has primarily driven for mediocre teams. Currently a member of the Haas F1 team, he has little hope of achieving a podium finish or winning a race. When asked about the possibility of joining a top team, the German driver expressed his skepticism, jokingly suggesting that he may have a better chance in his next life. This conversation arose following Fernando Alonso’s decision to continue with Aston Martin.
Despite the speculation surrounding his future, Hulkenberg stressed the importance of remaining focused on his current campaign. He believes that discussions about his future prospects can have a negative impact on his performance during races. The 36-year-old emphasized the need to separate these talks from his present efforts on the grid. It is worth noting that there have been rumors linking Hulkenberg to Audi.
Surprisingly, the Haas F1 team has exceeded expectations during the 2024 season. They even secured their first points at the Saudi Arabian GP. Hulkenberg is confident in the team’s ability to compete in the midfield against rival teams. He attributes this confidence to their performance following the Japanese GP.
Reflecting on the Suzuka race, Hulkenberg initially experienced headaches and had low expectations for his performance. However, the race turned out to be better than anticipated. As a result, the Haas F1 team is optimistic about their prospects for this year. They currently sit in seventh place in the constructors’ championship, just behind RB.
Haas appears to have an advantage over the lower-ranked teams on the grid, presenting a great opportunity for them to improve their championship standing after a series of disappointing seasons. With Hulkenberg on their side, Haas may be able to consistently earn points throughout the year.