F1: Hulkenberg back for 2023

Nico Hulkenberg will return to Formula 1 after signing to race for the HAAS F1 team. Hulkenberg will replace the 2020 F2 champion Mick Schumacher who has raced for the team for the past two years.

The German driver last raced in F1 full-time in 2019 when he raced for Renault. In 2019 he finished 14^th in the championship. Since 2019 Hulkenberg has been the test/reserve driver for Racing Point and Aston Martin.

His most recent race was at the start of the 2022 season where he would replace Sebastian Vettel who caught COVID-19. He finished in a respectable 12^th position in Saudi Arabia, these stand-in races gave Nico the nickname ‘Hulkenback’.

“I’m naturally very pleased to be welcoming Nico Hulkenberg back to a full-time racing role in Formula 1,” said Haas boss Guenther Steiner.

“The experience and knowledge base Nico brings to the team is clear to see – with nearly 200 career starts in Formula 1 – and a reputation as being a great qualifier and a solid, reliable racer. These are attributes, which when you pair them together with Kevin Magnussen’s experience, gives us a very credible and well-seasoned driver line-up which we believe will help push the team onwards up the grid.”

Hulkenberg said: “I’m very happy to move into a full-time race seat with Haas F1 Team in 2023. I feel like I never really left Formula 1. I’m excited to have the opportunity to do what I love the most again and want to thank Gene Haas and Guenther Steiner for their trust.”

This signing has left Mick Schumacher without a drive for 2023. But rumours have linked him to Mercedes for a reserve driver role.

In a statement on his Instagram, Schumacher said: “This is going to be my last race with Haas F1 Team. I don’t want to hide the fact that I am very disappointed about the decision not to renew our contract.”

Image from Pirelli