Hulkenberg optimistic about F1 grid return next season
Nov.1 - Nico Hulkenberg says he is "optimistic" about returning to the Formula 1 grid in 2023.
According to reports, the 35-year-old German - who has been out of the sport full-time since 2019 and most recently serving as Aston Martin reserve - is now more likely than Mick Schumacher to secure the Haas seat.
That is despite the fact that fellow German Schumacher, 23, has improved his pace relative to teammate Kevin Magnussen in the second part of the year.
Mick Schumacher during the Mexico City GP at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez (Photo by Andy Hone / LAT Images)
Haas owner Gene Haas, however, insisted before Austin that only points finishes would secure the race seat for Schumacher.
"You have to look at the whole season," former F1 driver Timo Glock told Sky Deutschland. "You have to look at the development and it is going up.
"At the moment he has better speed than his teammate. He has made fewer mistakes lately. You can't just rate someone on their last two races."
Hulkenberg has kept conspicuously quiet amid speculation of his potential 2023 return, but he has now broken his silence in conversation with Austrian broadcaster Servus TV.
"So far, I can't say anything specific," he said.
"In the end, I don't make the decision. Negotiations are ongoing and I am relatively optimistic about the progress. You need to be patient with these decisions."
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Let's wait & see before making definitive conclusions.
However, he'd unlikely be an improvement from Mick, as he hasn't done any active racing for nearly three years, while Mick is presently racing in F1.
Therefore, more likely a retrograde step, if anything, & probably also only a stop-gap solution.
It's difficult for me to prefer one over the other. Mick of course, being the legend's son is reason alone to hope he succeeds on his own and he is absolutely progressing, albeit slower than some would like. Hulkenberg, although in all his years on the grid, never got on the podium and absolutely no win, did an incredible job subbing for a couple different drivers a couple years ago. And for that alone, he deserves another shot. I'd say you give him the right car, and he will deliver. But I'm just glad I don't have to make that decision. I was pretty sure Mick had signed to Williams, but it looks like that door is closed unless something unforeseen happens. We can be sure Audi or Porsche will want him. By then Hulkenberg will be too old to be truly considered as a F1 driver. His time is still now. Once again, I've had a few posts simply vanish into thin air, we'll see how this one goes. But I like both options, just glad I don't have to choose.
Substitution is hardly a justifiable reason for another chance, as that isn't the same as regularly racing to keep oneself racing fresh. Otherwise, some decent points.
properly racing fresh
Im afraid by the time A/P get into f1, any connection to the Real Goat will be long gone, Ferrari might let him race gt cars but, this is/was Jnrs time Imo .
Who's A/P? I can't quite figure out this initial reference.
Audi/Porsche
Okay, now I get the reference & perhaps leaving Haas would be better for him than continuing, after all.
Heh JJ , im not advocating it one way or the other, but if your Out of f1, taking the stupidly named Imo sabbatical hoping to come back in 1yr, 2yrs, , What happens in the mean time if 1,2 Super quick Indy drivers want into F1, as is happening right now. Just saying
Who cares 😴
Both going nowhere in F1
Also rans 🏃♂️ at best
Hulk is in the autumn of his F1 career. He can probably give good input to improve the Haas car, but without the backing it still won't be moving up the grid!
By the time Audi and Porsche arrive, Mick will have passed his best by date, and they probably won't be competitive in the early years anyway! Mick will fade into insignificance.
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