By Carlo Platella
After a three-year absence, Nico Hulkenberg returned to Formula 1 in 2023 at the wheel of Haas, a team to which he hopes to give the dream of sixth place in the world championship before his departure towards Sauber. In Hinwil the German will prepare to represent the official Audi team, a fascinating but long-awaited project that Nico himself does not refrain from defining as arduous. Hulkenberg will thus return to the wheel of a Volkswagen group car, after having already raced and won with Porsche at Le Mans in 2015. These and other topics are discussed during the exclusive interview given to FormulaPassion.
So Nico, your Haas adventure is coming to an end. What memories will you take with you?
“It’s not over yet! There are eight races left to play in which we will give our best. We have our sights set on the target, with sixth place not far away. The mid-group remains very competitive, between us, Williams, Racing Bulls and Alpine. We have to keep pushing until the end. Overall I have enjoyed my time here and will continue to do so until the end of the season. We hope to finish well.”
You leave the team after what is probably its best season ever…
“I don’t know if it’s the best ever, but compared to last year we’ve made a big step forward, unexpected in some ways. It’s nice to have made this breakthrough though, there have been some changes in the team. In general the period in Haas after my return to Formula 1 it was pleasant.”
You talk about changes that have happened in the team. How much have you seen it evolve in this period of time?
“Each team adapts and makes changes, we drivers also try to get closer to the best. I believe it is part of a process of continuous change and adaptation to circumstances. There have also been changes at the top and the technical structure itself has been reorganised. I would say that all this has paid off and is working quite well at the moment. The current trajectory seems to confirm this.”
Haas was known as the smallest team on the grid, but the prospects for the future now look different…
“In terms of numbers, like budget and staff, I would say we are still the smallest team. However, I would say that the system chosen by Haas works, purchasing everything possible from Ferrari and focusing on the operational aspect and development. Sometimes we beat teams with much greater resources and it’s a good, rewarding feeling.”
Haas is almost a second Italian team. Do you like working in Italian culture?
“Yes. Already when I raced at Sauber we had a Ferrari power unit. At Haas the situation is similar, with Ferrari personnel working with us. It almost seems like a single team, even if they come from outside. It’s a nice environment.”
In two years you will be an official Audi driver. What does this mean for a German?
“For me it is simply a sporting opportunity that has arisen for my career: racing for a manufacturer. I hope that it can be a success story and that I can be in the best position to be as far ahead as possible. It’s a big project, with big responsibilities. At the moment there is still a long way to go. There are many things to improve and implement. 2026, however, will be interesting, given that everything will change both on the power unit and aerodynamic side. All this offers the opportunity to be competitive right away. The skills and advantage teams have now will be erased, leveling the group. Let’s hope we get off to a good start.”
Do you ever find yourself thinking how much things have changed for you? A few years ago you were out of Formula 1, while soon you will be an official Audi driver…
“Yes, it’s funny how things move so quickly in Formula 1. Two months ago I didn’t think it was possible and then everything happened suddenly. But Formula 1 is like this: dynamic and fast-moving. Even when I came back I didn’t imagine that I would be so competitive. At the time I didn’t think that far into the future. My mentality now is to enjoy the moment, to live every single situation. It’s important to me that I feel happy now. I love what I do.”
You weren’t particularly sure of yourself so when you started running again…
“When you return after three years of absence it’s difficult to make predictions, you have to see how it goes. Right from the start, however, the performances were there. Last year though on a sporting level it was difficult for Haas: on Saturdays he was always positive, while on Sundays we were always bad. Even there, however, I didn’t think too much about the future. I focused on the present and how to best do my job. The future will come by itself.”
You have already raced with another Volkswagen group brand, at Le Mans with Porsche. What memories do you have of that experience?
“It’s been almost ten years. Winning Le Mans is fantastic, I think it was so great precisely because it was unexpected. We were the third car, a ‘backup’ in case things went wrong for Porsche, and we ended up winning. It was a six-month project, with a preparatory race in Spa and then tests at Le Mans, a very intense period therefore, in which at the same time I raced with Force India in Formula 1. I bring back many good memories though.”
How were the old LMP1s to drive compared to the current Formula 1s?
“They are two different types of machines. At the time the LMP1s were much more hybrid focused and were all-wheel drive, as well as larger and heavier. It was a good experience and I bring back some good memories, but I’m a Formula 1 guy. I love single-seaters, they’re my favourites.”
As a driver, what would you like the single-seaters of the future to be like, given that we often talk about the compromise between technology and the relevance of the human factor?
“At present it is becoming increasingly difficult to follow another car closely. Thanks to the aerodynamic load the cars are very fast, but for racing things are not so simple. When these regulations were introduced the situation from this point of view was good, but then it deteriorated from year to year. Aerodynamicists have found ways to get around the rules and ruin the slipstream of the cars, making it more difficult to follow. I hope that from this point of view the situation improves, returning to having good races. It would allow the drivers to have fun and be able to duel wheel to wheel, but it would also be an added value for the public.”
What are you most proud of about your Formula 1 career?
“I would say having remained in this environment for so long and having been hired so many times, despite never having won or been on the podium. Having survived the period of pilots with suitcases is also a great achievement. I would also add being recruited by a manufacturer like Audi, who tested all the available drivers but chose me first, as well as my return to Formula 1.”
I imagine it’s nice to still be in the paddock when eighteen year olds appear…
“Absolutely. It’s always nice to be wanted, but I think I’ve always brought results. Plus I have experience, having done it Also lots of tests. I like what I do, but at the same time I invest a lot of time and energy to make sure that’s the case.”
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