Nico Hulkenberg opens up on ‘stressful’ time with F1 rival Martin Brundle brands ‘disappointing’

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Nico Hulkenberg has been on the Formula 1 grid since 2010 yet the Haas driver still finds it can be ‘stressful’ after battling against one rival in the Singapore Grand Prix.

The 2024 running of F1’s original night race at Marina Bay last time out marked the 37-year-old’s 224th Grand Prix entry and 221st start so far. Hulkenberg made his debut in Formula 1 14 years ago, and will be on the grid for a few more yet after signing with Audi back in April.

Hulkenberg joins Sauber in 2025 to start his multi-year contract as a works Audi driver after opting against signing new terms with Haas. His exit deprives the American-owned team of their best threat this season, with Hulkenberg scoring 24 of Haas’ 31 points so far this term.

Nico Hulkenberg found racing Sergio Perez in the Singapore Grand Prix ‘stressful’

Two of Haas’ and Hulkenberg’s points this year came in the Singapore Grand Prix as he held off Red Bull driver Sergio Perez for P9. The pair were once teammates at Force India but the importance of points saw Hulkenberg make his VF-24 as wide as possible on the city roads.

Hulkenberg produced a great but gruelling defensive drive after emerging ahead of Perez on Lap 29 of 66 after the German’s sole pit stop. He spent the rest of the race soaking up what pressure the Mexican could manage and held on to take the chequered flag directly in front.

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

But Perez driving for Red Bull – who finished the Singapore GP in P2 with Max Verstappen – did not cross Hulkenberg’s mind. The only thing that mattered for the 37-year-old was to get Haas more points at Marina Bay, even if that meant 32 laps driving under constant pressure.

“I don’t care if it’s a Red Bull or who it is, it’s important that we get those points,” he stated, via quotes by Crash. “Obviously, [I am] happy to get points, that’s what matters. From that point of view, it was good.

“There’s a few things to look into and review in terms of strategy but otherwise, clean race. Not very eventful but stressful keeping the Red Bull at bay for the whole second stint. It was tough to bring it home with the tyres and everything but we managed, so [I am] happy.”

Martin Brundle thinks ‘disappointing’ Sergio Perez is a ‘real problem’ for Red Bull

Perez’s inability to pass Hulkenberg at Marina Bay proved to be a major talking point, as well as seeing Haas get important points. Visa Cash App RB informed Daniel Ricciardo that Perez could not overtake Hulkenberg for ‘most of the race’ as they ran him through the final order.

Meanwhile, Marin Brundle described the Singapore GP as ‘yet another disappointing event’ for Perez to raise serious concerns. The Sky Sports pundit feels Perez is now a ‘real problem’ for Red Bull ahead of 2025 after they signed the Mexican to a contract for next year in June.

He was due to be a free agent after the 2024 season but Red Bull extended Perez’s terms for at least 2025. The team from Milton Keynes and the Mexican racer also both gained options to have their relationship continue into 2026 when Perez put pen to paper on the extension.

Yet the Singapore GP was just the latest race where Perez has failed to justify Red Bull giving him a contract extension. In the 10 Grand Prix since renewing right after the Monaco Grand Prix, where Perez and Kevin Magnussen crashed on the first lap, his best result is sixth place.