Nico Hulkenberg led the road admirably for Haas because the American workforce stepped up its efficiency for 2024.
Brilliantly constant within the first 10 races, all however considered one of his finishes in these have been within the ninth/tenth/eleventh bracket, then he took benefit of Haas upgrades to complete sixth within the Austrian and British Grands Prix.
The German scored factors in all however one of many final seven rounds – solely lacking out when he was disqualified in Brazil – with some great qualifying efforts peppered all year long. Can have his work reduce out to match his starring turns over 2024 with Sauber subsequent 12 months.
Hulkenberg on his 2024 season
Previous to the tip of his F1 marketing campaign, Hulkenberg sat down with Autosport to guage the 12 months, together with discussing how his relationship with now-former team-mate Kevin Magnussen has developed.
AS: Disgrace to not get P6 over the road, however happy to depart with a constructive end result?
NH: “Superb. You neglect rapidly the place we have been final 12 months and the way down we have been some days and the way a lot shit we needed to eat. It was robust final 12 months and to have come out and turned that scenario round like we did is a hell of an achievement from everybody within the workforce and I’ve actually loved being part of that.

Hulkenberg climbs 21 locations from 2023 after a collection of spectacular drives
Picture by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Pictures
“It has been very pleasurable with everybody, I believe Ayao has carried out a improbable job this 12 months as TP. So many issues got here at him and he is actually labored by means of all of them, it has been spectacular and good. I go away completely happy and so they’re a robust contender in the event that they preserve working like this. I do know they are a critical contender sooner or later within the struggle for P5.”
PLUS: The three-way scrap that kept everybody guessing in F1 2024
AS: Does it fear you going into subsequent season when you’ll have to struggle them?
NH: “Not fear, however it’s a aggressive sport and everyone seems to be pushing loads. The air could be very skinny like we have seen now. Alpine is again, in all probability Aston will come again so it will be robust and there is work forward at Sauber little doubt. However these days, it is seemed a bit brighter. It seemed just like the Vegas replace for them did one thing and put them heading in the right direction, in the appropriate course.”
AS: One in all your most constant seasons to this point?
NH: “Positively some of the constant. I really feel I in all probability had equally good seasons in 2017/2018, even going again 2016 – I’ve had numerous these seasons I believe. In all probability it is the one I’ve loved probably the most – the highs in addition to the lows – loved the problem, loved being right here and it has been very enjoyable.”
AS: Kevin [Magnussen], from suck my balls to being associates?
NH: “Hell of a turnaround, however that is life for you! I believe our relationship actually began in 2022 after I stepped in for Seb [Vettel] within the Aston. Then, from 2023, there was by no means actually any friction. We have been actually on the identical frequency, very related factors in life on the non-public aspect but additionally on the outlook on life and the way we now have to work for the workforce, a typical curiosity at coronary heart for the workforce.
“It has been tremendous pleasurable. I do know, from the numbers, it would seem like it was a bit one-sided however I by no means felt that method and I at all times felt it was small issues that made the distinction. He is pushed me loads and I’ve pushed him and it has been very pleasurable and superb.”

Hulkenberg will reunite with Sauber in 2025 because the Swiss workforce transforms into its new guise as Audi
Picture by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Pictures
On this article
Jake Boxall-Legge
Components 1
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Nico Hulkenberg
Haas F1 Staff
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