Nico Hülkenberg returned behind the wheel of Formula 1 on Tuesday to test in Abu Dhabi. The day before, the Haas driver gave an extensive interview to Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport, talking about a three-year break in his career, returning behind the wheel and expectations for the team in 2023.
Q: You are back in Formula 1. How do you feel?
Nico Hulkenberg: I feel pleasant and familiar emotions – I am happy.
Q: In the last three years, have there been times when it seemed to you that Formula 1 is infinitely far away?
Nico Hulkenberg: Of course it has always been that way, even this year. Halfway through the season I had no chance of a contract. I spent the first two races for Aston Martin, but after that the opportunities didn’t come. I didn’t think about returning, because that possibility just didn’t exist, but suddenly the opportunity presented itself.
Q: When did you realize there was a chance to return?
Nico Hulkenberg: After the summer holidays.
Q: You regularly hit the track and watched the work of fellow riders from the outside. How hard was it?
Nico HulkenbergA: Actually, it wasn’t that hard. Obviously I was under less pressure than the other riders, but seeing how they steered I felt like I could do better in a similar situation. It was already more difficult to come to terms with this, but next year everything will change.
Q: How important were those five stages of Formula 1 where you replaced other racers?
Nico HulkenbergA: Very important. I don’t know if I could come back without these races. When you go to the start, the team leaders will remember you.
Q: How hard was it to get back behind the wheel and show results as quickly as possible?
Nico Hulkenberg: Not easy at all, but you have to act according to the situation. I have been trained for this since childhood. I could rely on a combination of talent and years of experience in Formula 1. Even if you are new to the car, you have to get the most out of it. In those moments I won more than I lost, because the expectations were not too high.
Q: Which of these five races do you remember most?
Nico Hulkenberg: Internship at the Nürburgring in 2020. At ten o’clock in the morning I was having coffee with a friend in Cologne, when Otmar Safnauer called unexpectedly – he said he needed me and hung up. I then said to a friend, “Yeah, he’s kidding.” Three minutes later, Otmar called again: “Do you understand me? Come immediately to the Nürburgring.”
I rushed to the car and broke all records from Cologne to the Nürburgring. It’s been a hot ride. I showed up on track two hours before qualifying, showed the last time, but still earned points. Of course Racing Point had a good car. I had a pretty stressful experience.
Q: How did you react to your own resignation at the end of 2019?
Nico HulkenbergA: To some extent it was intended that way. The mood in the team has been quite negative since mid-2019. I was mentally exhausted and knew I needed to get away from it all. It seems that two or three months of winter break is a lot, but in reality it is not.
Retirement allowed me to distance myself completely from Formula 1, to rethink some things. Perspectives have changed, and this has helped me immensely, even knowing that there may be no turning back.
Q: Was it difficult for you to watch races on TV?
Nico Hulkenberg: I am a very laid back TV watcher who skims through key moments from time to time. But no more.
Q: Apart from competing in the five Grands Prix, you’ve raced practically nowhere. Was it intentional?
Nico HulkenbergA: I didn’t race at all and did it on purpose. There was no series that really attracted me.
Q: At what point did you realize you wanted to come back?
Nico Hulkenberg: During the race in Miami. It was a large-scale event – the track, the cars, the atmosphere made me feel like it. I’ve wanted to come back to race ever since, and the desire has only grown stronger with time.
Q: What do you expect from testing with Haas in Abu Dhabi?
Nico Hulkenberg: I want to feel the car, feel the Formula 1 and drive the distance. For me this is an extra test day. Everyone will only have a day and a half on the track before next year’s race in Bahrain, so each lap is important to get used to processes and procedures, get to know the new team and things in the car that could be improved.
Q: Did you sign the contract on the Tuesday before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix?
Nico Hulkenberg: Something like that. I was in Dubai, Gunther Steiner in Abu Dhabi. We used email to communicate.
Question: Have you already returned to your sports uniform?
Nico Hulkenberg: No, I still have two kilograms to lose.
Q: What do you say to the skeptics who say the team unsuccessfully swapped the 23-year-old racer for a 35-year-old who hasn’t raced in nearly three years. Does it put you under pressure?
Nico Hulkenberg: Not at all. Pressure is the result of your own expectations. I don’t feel any pressure, I don’t have to do anything special. Of course I understand that the subject is quite emotional, because we are talking about two German drivers, but we are all fighting for our careers in Formula 1.
In the end, the team decides who drives the car. Usually invite riders who are considered the best option for the team. This is not my decision. As far as I can see, everything was fair. Haas gave Mick enough time to prove himself before making a decision. At least my age shouldn’t be a problem.
Q: What are your expectations for next season?
Nico Hulkenberg: Now there is little point in speculating. It all depends on how fast the car is. I will definitely need some time to get comfortable before I can show my best. It is important to me that we get the most out of it every weekend.
Question: Can you provide the team with the necessary stability?
Nico Hulkenberg: Stability is required of every rider. If you look at my stats, you’ll see I’ve always been pretty consistent.
Q: You used to not really get along with Kevin Magnussen. What is your current relationship with your partner?
Nico Hulkenberg: Earlier this year in Bahrain we managed to melt that ice when I greeted him in the same terms as I did back then in 2017. Before the race in Jeddah we met at the airport and chatted. Since then everything is fine. We both laughed at that story and I’m not afraid we’re in trouble.
Q: Have you considered competing at Le Mans if it hadn’t been possible to return to Formula 1?
Nico Hulkenberg: Formula 1 is the best form of motorsport. Le Mans attracts many car manufacturers, but I like single-seater Formula 1 more than endurance racing. That’s why endurance racing has never been on my agenda.
Source: F1 News
I’m Todderic Kirkman, a journalist and author for athletistic. I specialize in covering all news related to sports, ranging from basketball to football and everything in between. With over 10 years of experience in the industry, I have become an invaluable asset to my team. My ambition is to bring the most up-to-date information on sports topics around the world.
