P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Nico Hulkenberg has long been part of F1 and is racing on the grid into his late 30s – something Max Verstappen has pledged he will never do.
Nico Hulkenberg has assessed Max Verstappen’s statement about the duration of his own F1 career, highlighting the disparity in their current career stages and accomplishments. Verstappen, with four championships to his name, expressed a desire to explore other racing avenues after what he deemed the midway point of his F1 journey. In contrast, Hulkenberg, 37, embarks on his 12th F1 season this year and is set to join the Stake team as they transition to Audi in 2026. Reflecting on his own early career experiences, Hulkenberg hinted that feelings and circumstances can evolve, leaving room for unexpected career changes or comebacks in the competitive realm of Formula 1. He emphasized the unique void that leaving F1 could create for drivers, underscoring the unpredictability of future decisions despite one’s current declarations or intentions.