Nico Hulkenberg will make his full-time F1 return after signing a new deal with Haas from the 2023 season onward.
After speculation for weeks about him signing up potentially with Haas, the move has been announced by the American F1 outfit just days before the 2022 finale in Abu Dhabi. Hulkenberg will pair up with Kevin Magnussen from 2023 season onward.
It is a brand new deal with Hulkenberg who is moving on from his Aston Martin duties to a full-time F1 stint for the first time since the 2019 season when he raced for Renault. He has competed in five races since but all in a one-off capacity.
Hulkenberg will replace fellow German Mick Schumacher, who has had an up and down F1 career so far where he has scored points but not consistently. With two senior pros at the team, Haas will look to make itself consistent in the midfield pack in 2023.
Hulkenberg will start his new journey with Haas by taking part in a post-season test at Yas Marina circuit on Tuesday, driving the VF-22 alongside team’s reserve Pietro Fittipaldi. “I’m naturally very pleased to be welcoming Nico Hulkenberg back to a full-time racing role in Formula 1,” said Guenther Steiner.
“The experience and knowledge base Nico brings to the team is clear to see – with nearly 200 career starts in Formula 1 – and a reputation as being a great qualifier and a solid, reliable racer. These are attributes, which when you pair them together with Kevin Magnussen’s experience, gives us a very credible and well-seasoned driver line-up which we believe will help push the team onwards up the grid.
“That’s obviously the goal and it was that ambition that has prompted Nico’s return to Formula 1 – he shares our vision and can be a key player together with the rest of the team in building on the foundations we’ve laid this year with our return to the points battle.”
At the same time, Hulkenberg added: “I’m very happy to move into a full-time race seat with Haas F1 Team in 2023. I feel like I never really left Formula 1. I’m excited to have the opportunity to do what I love the most again and want to thank Gene Haas and Guenther Steiner for their trust. We have work ahead of us to be able to compete with all the other teams in the midfield, and I cannot wait to join that battle again.”
Here’s news of Mick Schumacher leaving
