$10M LeMans winner Nico Hulkenberg makes his feelings known about his time at Haas
Former Haas F1 driver Nico Hulkenberg has said he had a "positive experience" driving for the American team for the last two years in F1. The German driver returned to the grid in 2023 after replacing a struggling Mick Schumacher on the team.
Hulkenberg, who won the 24h of Le Mans in 2015 with Porsche in his first attempt, made a name for himself as a dependable driver in his first stint at the pinnacle of motorsport during the 2010s. However, he was let go by Renault F1 for Esteban Ocon in 2020, which saw him do some races in 2020 and 2022 for Aston Martin as a super-sub.
Reflecting on his time with Haas F1, Hulkenberg, worth $10 million per Celebrity Net Worth, told Formule1 he had a lot of "fun".
“It was a very positive experience. A lot of positive emotions, a lot of joy and a lot of fun – that’s how I look back on the last two years. I think we grew together during that time and became quite strong," Nico Hulkenberg said.
"It’s been a very nice ride. I think, at least for me personally, we exceeded expectations. After two years away, I didn’t think my career would go like this either.”
Next year, the 37-year-old will join Kick Sauber, which will become Audi in 2026, to lead it amid new engine regulations.
Nico Hulkenberg lays out his future plans amid a long contract with Sauber
Nico Hulkenberg has said he wasn't thinking about walking from F1 and "enjoying" himself by "making the most" of his opportunities. The Sauber-bound driver reflected on his future talking to RacingNews365.
"I'm enjoying myself, I'm having a good time, so I make the most of it. For me, it's important as long as I feel that I'm quick enough that I can challenge and beat the young guys and contribute to a team," Nico Hulkenberg said.
"As long as that's the case, I think I will have a job and I will be here. Personally, when I feel I don't have what it takes anymore, I would probably be the first one to admit that and then to walk away."
Hulkenberg added:
"I think over the last, I don't know, five, six years, we had more kind of experience [on the grid] and a little bit older drivers. I think that happens every, I don't know, five to 10 years, and I think it's quite natural."
The German driver has a three-year contract with Kick Sauber that would see him race until the age of 40 in 2027.