Nico Hülkenberg answered the question about his anniversary race with a counter question:
“When do you want it?” Typical of the Rhinelander, who competed in his first Formula 1 race more than 15 years ago and is now about to compete in his 250th: “Tell me,” he also replied to the interviewer.
The problem: There is disagreement as to whether the upcoming Qatar Grand Prix is number 250 in the Rhinelander’s Formula 1 personnel file or the finale a week later in Abu Dhabi. This also surprised his racing driver colleague Carlos Sainz from Williams. “Why is there any doubt?” Explanation Hülkenberg: “The fact is that I took part in a few races but didn’t start.”
The question about the big party
Also because celebrating during racing is rather difficult, it looks more like the weekend in Abu Dhabi, said Hülkenberg. After that was more or less clarified, the now 38-year-old Emmerich native’s answer to the question about his best season was much clearer: “This one, of course.”
Also because 2025 was the year of his first podium finish. At Silverstone on July 6th the time had come and the entire premier class was happy with third place at the British Grand Prix. He had to be patient for well over 200 races, longer than anyone else in Formula 1 before.
Few people would have believed that he would be able to do this during the transition year from Sauber to Audi. It remains questionable whether he will ever compete in a winning or even title-winning car in his long career. Audi wants to compete in the World Cup from 2030 – that year Hülkenberg will be 43 years old.
From pole to the bench
It’s a bit like the story of Formula 1 driver Hülkenberg, a story of missed opportunities. Before joining Williams in 2010, he had, among other things, won the highest junior series, and in the last Grand Prix of his debut season he raced to pole in São Paulo – and did not get a new regular driver contract after the season.
Hülkenberg returned to the starting grid after a year as a reserve driver at Force India for the same racing team. He drove for the team for five years, interrupted by a one-year trip to Sauber. After three years for Renault he was no longer given a cockpit, but he helped out and was always convincing. The reward: another return, this time for Haas.
Winner at Le Mans, in the focus of Ferrari and Red Bull
Ironically, he replaced compatriot Mick Schumacher, whose Formula 1 career has since ended. Since this season, Hülkenberg, who won the 24 Hours of Le Mans on his debut there in 2015 and already has a Ferrari contract ready to be signed and also aroused the interest of Red Bull, has been driving for Sauber again and thus the soon-to-be Audi factory team.
Hülkenberg emphasized that he was already looking forward to the next twelve months. Then with guaranteed 250 race experience in Formula 1.