Nico Hulkenberg Biography
Nico Hulkenberg Biography
After a sensational junior career that led to comparisons to Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher, Nico Hulkenberg's F1 stint has perhaps not panned out as would have been expected. One of F1's youngest pole-sitters in history after a superb performance in his rookie season, Hulkenberg has gone to put together a career of contrasts. Though regarded as one of the better competitors on the grid, Hulkenberg has never stepped foot on an F1 podium – with 159 starts under his belt that is an F1 record he may wish he could get rid of.
Junior dominance and F1 move
After a successful karting career, Hulkenberg secured titles at Formula 4 and Formula 3 level before winning the 2009 GP2 championship, putting together a junior career the envy of many of his contemporaries. His success had attracted interest from Williams and Hulkenberg served as test and reserve driver in 2008 and 2009, before he was promoted to the race team the following year.
The German scored points in six races before he and Williams timed things to perfection in a wet qualifying at the Brazilian Grand Prix to snatch pole position from a packed bunch of title contenders. Hulkenberg went on to finish eighth at Interlagos in that race and soon after it was confirmed that he would not be retained.
Force India, Sauber, Force India
Snubbed by Williams in favour of the well-financed Pastor Maldonado, Hulkenberg joined Force India as test driver in 2011 and was promoted to the race team the following year. He came close again to that elusive podium by finishing fourth in Belgium, and ended the year outscoring and outqualifying team-mate Paul Di Resta, but switched to Sauber for the following season.
Hulkenberg scored 12 fewer points across the season for the Swiss team, once again taking a fourth-place finish – this time in Korea – but was once again on the move the following year, returning to Force India, where he raced alongside Sergio Perez. The Mexican scored at least one podium finish in each of their three seasons together, as well as finishing above Hulkenberg in the championship in 2015 and 2016.
Renault move
Although Force India had largely outperformed Renault in 2016, Hulkenberg switched to the French constructor, sold on their bigger budgets and ambitions to become a champion team once again. In 2017, Hulkenberg wiped the floor with Jolyon Palmer, leading to the Brit's early departure from the team as he outqualified him at every race and scored almost all of the team's points that year. With Carlos Sainz Jr joining as Palmer's replacement at the tail-end of 2017 and into 2018, Hulkenberg again got the better of the Spaniard, finishing 2018 as the best driver outside of the top three teams in seventh place, albeit still without that elusive podium.
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
F1 News Today: Hamilton and Verstappen rivalry takes SHOCK twist as F1 team 'set to announce' mega signing
- 1 hour ago
Horner Red Bull saga in new 'evidence' update as big F1 star left 'very angry' - GPFans F1 Recap
- Yesterday 23:57
Cocky sporting legend CHALLENGES Hamilton in stunning claim
- Yesterday 22:57
Ricciardo boss in 'super disappointing' claim amid RB stars' performance
- Yesterday 21:57
F1 team 'set to announce MEGA signing' in major Red Bull challenge
- Yesterday 20:57
Horner in BRUTAL Wolff swipe amid Verstappen to Mercedes links
- Yesterday 19:57
Related news
F1 star suggests CRAZY solution to cure key problem
F1 star gives tough assessment on team's season
Hamilton snubbed from F1 star's top three drivers as shock rival selected
F1 star refuses to rule out Audi switch
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860