Hulkenberg says political F1 ban will not affect him

Hulkenberg says political F1 ban will not affect him
22 December 2022 by    2 min read
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Dec.22 - Nico Hulkenberg has become the first Formula 1 driver to prominently react to the FIA's new ban on political gestures.

Some reacted to the new measure with criticism, accusing the sport's governing body of effectively gagging its stars.

"It's a delicate, difficult subject," German Hulkenberg, who is returning full-time to Formula 1 next year with Haas, told the German broadcaster ntv.

F1 bans drivers from making political gestures and statements

The driver stand and kneel in support of the End Racism campaign prior to the start during the Tuscany GP at Mugello Circuit on Sunday September 13, 2020, Italy. (Photo by Mark Sutton / LAT Images)

"We are athletes. We come to a country, a region, to do our work - to do what we love. I was never one to use this platform for political views anyway.

"So it won't affect or impair me too much," the 35-year-old insisted. "Others will be affected more, but I think that's a personal thing.

"Everyone has a personal attitude towards it."

Hulkenberg was also asked if he feels awkward about taking over the race seat of his much younger countryman Mick Schumacher - the son of the F1 legend Michael.

"We haven't spoken to each other about it," he insisted. "We never really exchanged ideas before that either.

"Mick is of a different generation. We never had a real relationship - something like he has with Sebastian (Vettel). The story is what the story is.

"If it hadn't been me, it might have been someone else. F1 is about performance," Hulkenberg explained.

"If you perform and you convince, you have a job. If there is no performance, it's over very quickly."

Hulkenberg has only had a few one-off outings in F1 since losing his full-time race seat after 2019. He says his preparation for 2023 is "going well" even though the first full day of testing last month in Abu Dhabi was "a huge shock".

"I've been more relaxed in the last few years so it feels good to get up in the morning and feel your body again," he said.

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11 F1 Fan comments on “Hulkenberg says political F1 ban will not affect him”

  2. Susan

    I share Hulk’s attitude and opinion. The drivers are there for work. They should concentrate on that, not the politics of the country their visitors in. The host country helps pay their very generous salaries. If it is a real problem with some of the drivers, sit out the race and use the reserve drivers.

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  4. Mary Stits

    Fansite should ban all references to KKK
    The hurt caused by these rat faced twats should never be forgotten
    They should be denegrated and castrated

    4

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