Helmut Marko makes subtle Sergio Perez dig when asked about Nico Hulkenberg once missing out on Red Bull move

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Helmut Marko has disclosed more information on how close Red Bull were to signing Nico Hulkenberg in 2020, before they opted to sign Sergio Perez instead.

Nico Hulkenberg has been on the radar of a number of frontrunning F1 teams over the course of his career in the sport, including Ferrari and Red Bull.

Nico Rosberg gave his opinion on why Hulkenberg’s move to Ferrari never materialised, citing an ‘Achilles heel’ that the German driver has carried throughout his F1 tenure.

Hulkenberg also noted the discussions he had previously with Red Bull in an interview at the end of 2024. Despite the deal being ‘really close’ to getting over the line at times, the German highlighted that it isn’t done until pen is put to paper.

Hulkenberg may get his shot at finally competing for an F1 title with Audi as they replace Sauber on the grid from 2026. The 37-year-old is expecting to have pressure on his shoulders due to the fact that he will be a German driver for the huge manufacturer.

READ MORE: Sauber driver Nico Hulkenberg’s life outside F1 from wife to height

Red Bull opted to sign Sergio Perez over Nico Hulkenberg after his win at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix

Speaking to F1 Insider ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Helmut Marko was asked about how close Hulkenberg actually was to replacing Alex Albon at Red Bull in 2020, stating, “He was, at that time, I believe, a commentator at ServusTV, so there was already a relationship.

“There were initial talks, but then Perez won that race in Bahrain, I think, and after that, everything shifted in Perez’s direction.”

Sergio Perez spent four seasons of his F1 career driving for Red Bull, amassing 29 podiums and 5 wins. Pretty average when compared with teammate Verstappen, who scored 70 podiums, including 53 victories, in the same period.

Marko was then asked if he regrets letting the German driver slip through his fingers, to which he makes a subtle nod towards Perez’s lack of podiums in his stint, saying, “I think it would’ve been a really nice time because the two of them [Verstappen and Hulkenberg] get along very well.

“And yes, Hulkenberg is a safe bet for points, or even, in our car, it could’ve been double podiums.”

READ MORE: Who is Red Bull motorsport adviser Helmut Marko? Everything to know

Helmut Marko previously stated that it was ‘probably a good thing’ Nico Hulkenberg wasn’t partnered with Max Verstappen

Despite admiring Hulkenberg’s talents, Marko has previously stated that not signing Hulkenberg has ‘probably’ ended up as being a good thing for the driver’s career.

The 37-year-old made a comeback to the F1 grid in 2023 with Haas after serving as a reserve driver for Racing Point/Aston Martin following his departure from Renault in 2019.

The return has seen Hulkenberg secure a £5.5m-a-year contract with Audi until 2027, giving him ample time to get to grips with the new regulations in 2026 and hopefully mount a title challenge in the following year, if they aren’t competitive off the bat.

There’s really no telling where the team will fit into the pecking order. As well as being a team on the grid, Audi is also entering the sport as a new engine manufacturer, and is currently in development of said engine ahead of its introduction in 2026.