P1racenews AI automatic summary:
From Formula 1 career seemingly over in 2020-22 to a major Audi F1 deal for 2025 and beyond, is Nico Hulkenberg a tale of right place/right time or potentially finally rewarded?
Audi’s first Formula 1 driver for its works entry may not necessarily end up being the main figure of the project, despite Nico Hulkenberg being chosen for the Sauber/Audi seat for a potential three-year stint. The 36-year-old Hulkenberg has overcome setbacks in his career, including being out of F1 for three seasons, making him one of the most unexpected comeback stories in F1. Audi’s priority in selecting Hulkenberg seems to be to have a German driver represent the team in 2026, as he is currently the only German driver on the F1 grid since Vettel’s departure. With 534 championship points and 208 starts under his belt as of the 2024 Chinese GP, Hulkenberg stands out as one of the most experienced F1 drivers. Despite not having achieved a podium finish in his F1 career, Hulkenberg is renowned for his reliability and consistency in scoring points, as demonstrated in his sporadic appearances for Racing Point and Aston Martin. Amongst other F1 drivers like Daniil Kvyat, Kevin Magnussen, and Fernando Alonso, who have made comebacks in recent years, Alonso stands out as the driver who has made the most of his return, showcasing success in various motorsport disciplines before thriving with Aston Martin.
