Haas F1 driver NICO HÜLKENBERG has emerged as one of the most captivating drivers of the 2024 season. We chat with the man himself to find out what’s powering the Hulk’s comeback…
At the end of 2019, after 10 seasons of dedicating his life to Formula 1, Nico Hülkenberg was ready to take a hard-earned break. The German-born racer started his F1 career with Williams in 2010 before stints at midfield teams Sauber, Force India and Renault. Officially without a seat for 2020 after being replaced by Esteban Ocon at Renault, Hulkenberg was suddenly staring down the possibility of doing nothing for basically the first time in his adult life.
Ultimately, Hulk spent three seasons racing here and there as a reserve driver for Racing Point and Aston Martin, but mostly he was taking stock of his own career, and crucially what he still dreamed of achieving in F1. Last season, Hülkenberg finally locked in another full time seat with Haas, the first American F1 constructor in decades and a team that only made its grid debut during the 2016 season. In its short time on the grid, Haas have built a loyal fanbase thanks to its never say die approach to racing, pushing the limits of its finances and cars to become one of the most exciting constructors in the midfield.
It’s only fitting then that Haas is where Nico Hülkenberg rebooted his F1 racing career in 2023, paired up with fellow industry veteran Kevin Magnessun. Now married to wife Egle and a first-time father to a daughter, the new and improved Hulkeberg is hungrier for that elusive race win than ever. While a podium finish has so far evaded the 36-year-old throughout his career, Hülkenberg has more than solidified his place within the world of motorsport.
Dedication, patience and staying power are what defines the career of Hulkenberg, the only current driver on the grid who can also boast winning the legendary Le Mans endurance race (a feat he achieved on his first try in 2015). Most of all, he’s widely lauded by fans and competitors for regularly transcending the limits of his car through sheer talent, will or a blend of both.
Fortuitously, our interview falls precisely between Nico’s two greatest results at Haas to date. Days before he sat down with MAXIM, the German pulled off a nail biting sixth place finish at the Austrian Grand Prix. A few days later, he would repeat the feat at the British Grand Prix, notching up a career-best sixth place at Silverstone. The comeback of Haas, and Hülkenberg, is officially underway.
“We’re much more competitive than last year, and in the midfield we’re definitely competing with the others,” he tells us. Now set to depart Haas at the end of the season to return to Sauber (which will rebrand as Audi in 2026), the podium finish that has long evaded Hülkenberg is perhaps more tantalisingly close than ever.
Congratulations on the fantastic result in Austria, Nico. Does scoring big like this give you confidence heading into Silverstone?
It’s a very positive result for us, we’re super happy about it and we scored points in a big way. It’s quite difficult to score so many points these days when you have the top eight that are always occupied by the top four teams. These big point scoring events come along quite rarely and the whole team is mega happy. It was a really good Sunday for us, where we executed really well and rewarded ourselves and the hard work over the winter and we’ll be going into this weekend with some tailwind from there.
How do you feel this year, your second season with Haas, is going so far?
I think it’s going pretty well, we didn’t have many situations where we had big mistakes or left a lot of potential out on track. Obviously with the midfield, the laws are pretty tough and if your package is not competitive enough you get nothing. That’s really the headline: that’s we’re much more competitive than last year, and in the midfield we’re definitely competing with the others.
Are there any particular races you’re most looking forward to during the second half of the season?
There’s still a lot of good ones coming up. Monza is really special for me; I like the atmosphere a lot. The night race in Singapore is really cool. I personally like the triple header – Austin, Mexico, Brazil, that’s probably my favourite couple weeks of the year. Many highlights still to come!
You’ll be leaving Haas at the end of the year and moving to Sauber. What will you miss most about Haas and driving with Kevin?
Every team is different but working with the people is a big part of the job and you get to know people well and it’s been really nice. I’ve really clicked well and connected well with Haas, so from that point of view, of course it’s sad but that’s the industry and that’s the business. Sometimes these changes happen. It’s a cool atmosphere here – Haas is not like my previous team Renault, it’s a smaller private team and the environment is different. It’s a cool vibe here.
What would be some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned in life and racing?
I’m still learning, it never really stops to be honest. You’ve got the professional side, the technical side, the tyres keep changing so we have to keep adjusting all the time. And the human side, I had three years away where I really had time to digest the first part of my career and reflect. Since my comeback last year, it’s felt really good, it’s very enjoyable and I’ve had a lot of fun. Privately a lot of things happened too, I got married and have a daughter now.
Has having that time away changed your perspective on racing and on life?
On life, I don’t think so but on racing yes. Three years out, you have time to process everything and a bit more appreciation and see it with slightly different eyes. The first part of my career let’s say, was racing, racing, racing since I was really young and I never had a break except for the winter break which is not much of a break. For me personally it was really valuable to grow and reflect on things to become the hungry racer you need to be here.
How do you unwind, is it taking time away to be with your family?
I’m pretty good at doing nothing to be honest. Spend the day on the sofa, order some food at home and watch a movie. Obviously now I have a daughter it’s not 100 per cent chill as a parent but that’s fine, that’s also a nice part. I’m pretty good at switching off and relaxing and taking myself out of the job.
Outside of F1 you famously had an amazing moment and win at Le Mans on your first try back in 2015. Would you be open to doing more endurance racing?
It was this amazing moment, that’s true. For now I’ve really got the Formula 1 hat on, obviously I just signed a deal for a couple years more in F1 and that will take me more or less until I’m 40 years old. So let’s see – I’ve learned in this industry to never say never. I don’t know how I’m going to feel five years down the line and what opportunities down the line might arise. I’m not going to say no to it per se, but also not yes now, time will tell.
We know Sauber is becoming Audi in 2025. Is there a particular pride to be racing for such an iconic German carmaker as a German?
I guess so, yes. It’s part of the attraction. It’s a huge responsibility to represent a German car brand like Audi, but for me it’s more like the sporting opportunity and the excitement that offers for me. Every driver wants to go where he believes he’s got the most competitive package and sporting outlook. It’s a big opportunity for me to achieve more in the sport. There’s still one or two things more I’d like to achieve in the sport, so let’s see if I can do it.
What in particular are you looking to achieve?
Well, a race win would be nice!
Of course! Is there a particular race that you’ve envisioned winning?
If you ask me that way, probably my goal is always the most iconic race – no doubt winning Monaco is one of the most special Grand Prixs you can win. So that would be my number one choice. ■
By REILLY SULLIVAN
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