Nico Hulkenberg’s return to Formula 1 this year with Haas has been great for his personal brand – and far from smooth sailing. As the 2023 season draws to a close, Hulkenberg, the team’s fastest driver this year, is delivering a blunt and uncompromising message to the Haas management: significant changes are imperative.
After clinching a spot in Q3 at the season finale in Abu Dhabi, Hulkenberg’s tone was a blend of satisfaction and stark realism. “I want to enjoy this moment,” he acknowledged, yet his foresight about the race was grim. “Tomorrow, I don’t know. Maybe there will be a surprise. But realistically I don’t expect any big changes compared to the rest of the season.” This statement, laced with a tinge of frustration, underscores his lack of confidence in the team’s current trajectory.
The German driver, at 36, didn’t mince words about the deep-rooted issues plaguing Haas, firmly directing his concerns at team boss Gunther Steiner and the higher echelons of the team’s management. Speaking to Ekstra Bladet newspaper, Hulkenberg issued what seemed like an ultimatum: “Gunther (Steiner) and the others in the management have to ask some serious questions and look at all areas.” He emphasized the need for a thorough overhaul, suggesting that mere tweaks wouldn’t suffice.
Hulkenberg’s frustration is evident as he talks about the team’s technical shortcomings. “There are technical people responsible for making the car faster,” he stated, pointing towards an apparent disconnect between the team’s objectives and its results. His words suggest a call for action, possibly including changes in the team’s structure, personnel, or strategy.
Amidst speculations of Audi’s interest in having a German driver for Sauber in 2026, Hulkenberg’s candid remarks take on added significance. He doesn’t see Haas competing for top spots but believes a mid-field position is attainable and should be the target. “It is not realistic for us to compete for second, third place in Formula 1,” he said. “But we should be challenging for sixth, seventh.”
Hulkenberg is unambiguous about the disappointment he feels regarding Haas’s development, or lack thereof. “The development or the lack of development has been a disappointment. It wasn’t good enough,” he insists. This blunt assessment of the team’s progress, or the lack thereof, highlights his dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs.
His decision to abandon the updated ‘B’ car in Las Vegas was a move that Hulkenberg believes sent a clear signal to the team. “I demonstrated to the team that the new car is not faster and that is of course a problem,” he told Sky Deutschland. His action was more than just a choice; it was a statement underscoring the gravity of the situation.
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