More than ten years after his failed move to Ferrari, Formula 1 driver Nico Hülkenberg (37) is still waiting for an explanation from the Italians. Hülkenberg drove for Sauber in 2013 and that year held promising talks about joining the Scuderia from 2014. However, Ferrari opted for Kimi Räikkönen, who drove alongside Fernando Alonso. The team boss was Stefano Domenicali, the current Formula 1 managing director.
He had “not yet” spoken to the Italian about the reasons, said Hülkenberg in an interview with the German Press Agency before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend. Why not? “Because he still says: ‘Not yet, come later.'” When asked when that would be, Hülkenberg replied: “I don’t know, I don’t have a crystal ball.”
“I like to roll up my sleeves”
Hülkenberg is now the only German regular Formula 1 driver and will be driving for the US team Haas this year. In the future, he will drive for Kick Sauber, which will become Audi’s factory team from 2026. “It’s an extremely performance-based business. At the end of the day, the teams want points and performance. That’s what has distinguished me over my long career,” said Hülkenberg about his qualities.
The Rhinelander, who made his Formula 1 debut in 2010, has a lot of development work to do at Audi in the future. But it appeals to him. “I like to roll up my sleeves, get involved and shape things,” said Hülkenberg, who is eleventh in the World Championship this season with 22 points. “Especially in working with the engineers, which you don’t see on TV. All the things that happen between the lines and between the races aren’t broadcast.”
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