Nico Hulkenberg snubs Max Verstappen as he names Formula 1 dream team

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Nico Hulkenberg has helped out Red Bull driver Max Verstappen on more than one occasion this season. Hulkenberg’s presence has been largely incidental, but it’s helped Verstappen secure a couple of pole positions.

The Haas driver gave Verstappen a tow in qualifying for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix back in May. He would take top spot ahead of the McLaren drivers by just over a tenth of a second, so this likely made the difference.

Hulkenberg was effectively repaying the favour after Verstappen offered him a slipstream earlier in the session. Four races later in Austria, the German once again dragged the world champion along.

Martin Brundle couldn’t believe how much Hulkenberg helped Verstappen, who romped to pole by more than four-tenths. The two drivers seem to have a good relationship off the track.

But speaking to the official F1 website, Hulkenberg left Verstappen out of his dream F1 line-up. The Dutchman is well on course to win a fourth consecutive championship this year.

He ranks third all-time for race wins with 61 and is also in the top five for poles (40). Hulkenberg, however, preferred drivers from earlier eras.

Nico Hulkenberg names Michael Schumacher and Niki Lauda in dream F1 line-up

Hulkenberg went with seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, who retired from F1 for good at the end of the 2012 season. Schumacher is level with Lewis Hamilton on a record seven world titles, and won 91 races during his career.

Alongside him, Hulkenberg selected Niki Lauda, who won two titles with Ferrari and one with McLaren. The late Lauda also holds the record for the longest gap between world championships (1977 and 1984).

And finally, Ross Brawn was the chosen team principal. Brawn worked with Schumacher during Ferrari’s era of dominance at the start of the millennium and also won a title with his eponymous team before ending his career at Mercedes.

“Again, that’s a lot of talent to choose from!” Hulkenberg said. “A tough question, a tricky question… I’d go Michael Schumacher, Niki Lauda and Team Principal… I’d go Ross Brawn.”

Why Fernando Alonso ranks Michael Schumacher above Lewis Hamilton

If every driver on the grid was asked the same question, Schumacher would likely figure in the majority of line-ups. Hulkenberg is one of those who had the chance to compete against him, alongside Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, Sergio Perez and Daniel Ricciardo.

Alonso named Schumacher as his toughest opponent, having battled him for the title in 2006. The Spaniard says their battles were the most ‘special’ because he came through the ranks watching the German dominate.

On the current grid, Verstappen is perhaps the driver most similar to Schumacher. And that’s not just in terms of ability.

Alain Prost says Verstappen has the same ruthless edge, which inevitably makes him a divisive figure. Both have come under fire on multiple occasions for their wheel-to-wheel conduct, but it’s impossible to argue with their achievements.