Nico Hulkenberg ‘absolutely’ sure unusual 2019 move was the best thing for his F1 career

Follow us on Google Discover

Five years ago, few Formula 1 fans would have expected Nico Hulkenberg to still be on the grid in 2024.

The German driver had enjoyed a decent but unspectacular time running in the midfield for the likes of Williams, Sauber, Renault and Force India.

However, the record-breaking 36-year-old has already signed a contract to take him into the next set of F1 regulations with Audi.

The 2019 season didn’t go to plan for Nico Hulkenberg as he scored just 37 points for Renault and a strong run of points-scoring finishes from the Belgian Grand Prix onwards wasn’t enough to save his seat.

Teammate Daniel Ricciardo outscored him and the team decided to replace Hulkenberg with Esteban Ocon.

Speaking to The Race, Hulkenberg has now admitted that losing his race seat and having to act as the sport’s super sub for three years was the best thing that could have happened to him.

Cameos with Racing Point and Aston Martin followed before Haas offered Hulkenberg a permanent seat on the grid last year.

Hulkenberg is in sensational form this season and now has at least two more years of action to look forward to as he continues to search for his first Formula 1 podium.

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

Losing Renault seat in 2019 ‘absolutely’ perfect for Nico Hulkenberg’s F1 career

Asked his losing his F1 seat at the end of the 2019 F1 season might have been the best thing for his career, Hulkenberg said: “Absolutely, absolutely.

“And it’s good, I’m super happy the way it turned out and I had that time away.

“I learned to live kind of outside of F1, it was actually only really 2020 that I was fully away because [in] 2021 I was already reserve driver for Aston Martin.

“So it was one year, and I had the COVID races in 2020, but it was enough time to properly disconnect, just do what I wanted to do really, take the F1 hat off and refresh.

“I always followed the sport closely on race weekends. But it just kind of lit the fire up again, put things into perspective. It was good for me to see from the other side.”

The only frustrating for Hulkenberg may have been watching on as Ocon surprised everyone in 2021 by winning the only Grand Prix of his career so far.

Had the German held onto his seat, that could have been him finally tasting victory in Formula 1.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Haas F1 Team from team principal to Ferrari relationship

Nico Hulkenberg told he’s ‘had his time’ in Formula 1 despite a positive 2024 season

Hulkenberg has by pivotal to Haas currently sitting 7^th in the Constructors’ Championship ahead of his old teams Alpine – who used to be Renault – and Williams, as well as the team he’s joining next year Sauber.

He’s level on points with Yuki Tsunoda and only two points behind Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll for a place in the top ten.

However, Tim Coronel has suggested that Hulkenberg has had his time in Formula 1.

He believes the German should be making way for a young driver after spending years failing to reach the podium and potentially not maximising his potential.

This season has proven that Hulkenberg is more than good enough to justify his place on the grid.

He wouldn’t have been one of the first drivers signed up for 2025 if he wasn’t deserving of his place in the paddock.

All eyes are now on who’s going to join him at Sauber next year during their final season on the grid.