P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Nico Hulkenberg has explained that Daniel Ricciardo’s arrival at Renault in 2019 led to a deterioration in his relationship with the Formula 1 team and his eventual exit. Renault signed Hulkenberg to spearhead its revived F1 involvement and he was its highest-scoring driver as it ascended to fourth in his second season with the team. […]
Renault signed Hulkenberg to lead its Formula 1 comeback, and he performed well, becoming the highest-scoring driver as they reached fourth place in his second season. However, after being paired with Daniel Ricciardo, Hulkenberg struggled to match his teammate’s pace, leading to his contract not being renewed. Hulkenberg revealed that his last season with Renault was challenging due to the pressure of having a top driver and disagreements within the team’s management. Strategic decisions, like being told to hold position behind Ricciardo in Canada, strained Hulkenberg’s relationship with the team. Despite this, Hulkenberg remained positive, impressing in sporadic races before securing a multi-year deal with Sauber for their Audi works team. Hulkenberg reflected on his journey, including a humorous nod to former Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul, highlighting his resilience in the face of setbacks.
