The 2024 season is the one that Hülkenberg “enjoyed the most”

For his last season at Haas, Nico Hülkenberg was able to take charge and help get the American team back on its feet. The German performed well over almost the entire season, capitalizing as best as possible on the strengths of his VF-24.

Hülkenberg has thus entered the top 10 12 times in 2024, including a sixth position at the British Grand Prix. The 37-year-old pilot returned to his campaign, which he considers “one of the most regular” of his career, he who celebrates his 15th year in Formula 1 in 2025.

“I feel like I've had such good seasons in 2017/2018, even going back to 2016 – I think I've had a lot of seasons like that. [2024] is probably the one I enjoyed the most – the highs and the lows – I enjoyed the challenge, I enjoyed being there and it was a lot of fun.”he confided during the press conference for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The 2017/2018 period corresponds to Hülkenberg's first years at Renault. It was also during his second season with the French team that he managed to climb to seventh position in the drivers' championship with 69 points scored, his best career result. Note, however, that this is not his best score, since the German finished the 2014 season with 96 units, for ninth place in the ranking nonetheless.

In 2024, Haas finished in seventh place in the constructors' championship, narrowly missing sixth position, snatched by Alpine after its double podium at the São Paulo Grand Prix. However, this seventh position remains a very good result when we know that the American team occupied last place in the ranking at the end of 2023.

Hülkenberg does not forget how far he has come and is delighted with the work carried out by Haas, instigated in particular by its team principal appointed at the start of 2024, Ayao Komatsu.

“We quickly forget where we were last year, how low we were on some days and how much crap we had to eat.”he said. “It was tough last season and to be able to turn things around like we did is a huge achievement for everyone on the team and I really enjoyed being a part of it.”

“I think Ayao has done a fantastic job this year as manager. There have been so many things thrown at him and he has overcome them all, it's impressive and it's a good thing. I leave happy and I think they will be serious candidates if they continue to work like this I know they will be contenders to fight for P5 in the future.

In 2025, Hülkenberg will don the Stake Sauber suit. Unlike Haas, the team which will take the name Audi in 2026 was unable to reverse the situation and found itself at the bottom of the peloton. The German nevertheless discerns some positive points, notably on the pace at the end of the season.

Like many drivers who have changed teams this year, Hülkenberg will have to face his old team, and although they are now much more competitive than before, he does not seem really concerned about this situation.

“I'm not worried, but it's a competitive sport and everyone pushes a lot”he added. “It's very tight, as we saw [en fin de saison 2024]. Alpine is back, Aston Martin is probably going to come back, so it's going to be difficult and there's work to be done at Sauber, no doubt. But lately the situation has seemed a little more positive. It looks like the Las Vegas update did something and put them on the right track, in the right direction.”

When leaving Haas, Hülkenberg also said goodbye to his teammate Kevin Magnussen, who will head to the WEC with BMW. Both drivers are veterans of the premier class and have known each other for several years. Their relationship was not the most harmonious, especially after their collision during the 2017 Hungarian Grand Prix which ended with a friendly statement from Magnussen which made the rounds on the networks.

The two reunited at Haas in 2023, where the relationship improved significantly, especially as they were going through a similar situation, having recently welcomed their first child.

“It’s quite a turnaround, but that’s life!”Hülkenberg said about his connection with Magnussen. “I think our relationship really started in 2022, when I replaced Seb [Vettel] in the Aston [Martin à Bahreïn et à Djeddah]. Then, from 2023 onwards, there was never really any friction.”

“We were really on the same page, at very similar times in our lives on a private level, but also with pretty similar views on life and how we have to work for the team, and a great common interest for the team as well.”

“It was very nice. I know from the numbers you would think that [la lutte en piste] was a bit one way, but I never had that feeling and always felt like it was little things that made the difference. He pushed me a lot and I pushed him, and it’s very nice and very good.”