Record without a podium – clean and hope for Audi
Nico Hülkenberg could make himself comfortable. He was relaxed on the gray sofa, he was wearing the black and green clean team jacket and sneakers. The only German pilot in the Formula 1 field was the participant of the second press conference on Thursday afternoon in Suzuka. Since Yuki Tsunoda was sitting right next to him, Hülkenberg was largely able to devote himself to the event as a listener. Most of the questions went To the Japanese, who has risen to Max Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull – Right before his home race in Suzuka on Sunday (7 a.m.).
Hülkenberg knows the situation. He knows that he is not the focus of interest. Sauber is one of the weaker teams of Formula 1, it is about creating the connection to the midfield. The team from the Swiss Hinwil is still driving with a Ferrari engine. From 2026, however, everything should be different. With the start of the new regulations takes over Audi The racing team and as a work team faces the challenges of the premier class. The German manufacturer is already working in the background. But nothing more.
Nico Hülkenberg visited Audi in Neuburg
Nico Hülkenberg was first in Neuburg an der Donau a few days ago. There is the factory in which Audi builds the engine for the new season. It was interesting to see the location and, above all, to meet all the employees. It is impressive what had arisen there in recent years. But also in Hinwil, the location of Sauber, there is a lot in transition. There is a lot of growing, infrastructure, buildings, but also the number of employees increases. The influence of Audi is noticeable.
And yet it is clear that it will take time for the German car manufacturer to meet his own expectations. Newcomers need time to get to the top of Formula 1. BMW and Toyota felt that. Audi will hardly be different. The top of the team has given itself time to fight for victories for several years. Because the basis that the new team finds at Sauber is not enough for top performance.
Hülkenberg has already collected points this season. That should have surprised him himself. At the opening race in Melbourne, the 37-year-old took seventh place and thus six points. For comparison: Throughout last season it had only brought it to just four points. Boiled by Guanyu Zhou at the penultimate race in Qatar. He had become eighth.
Clean fights in the back midfield
Hülkenberg had already exceeded the achievements from last season in races number one. What made him realize before the race in Suzuka that it has been going quite positively so far. « Getting the first points was a big deal and very important for us, » he said. Knowing that it is tight in the midfield of Formula 1. The first eight places are usually assigned to the top teams – i.e. McLaren, Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes. The rest argues about the two remaining ranks that still promise points. It would like to be represented as often as possible.
Hülkenberg has been driving some interruptions in Formula 1. 229 races since 2010 – he has never been on the podium. No other pilot had to wait for a place in the first three. A record that Hülkenberg could do without. This unsuccessful series is less due to him, but so far he had not yet found a team that enabled him. Hope is called Audi, although he will have to be patient here too.
The 37-year-old knows very well how racing wins feel. In 2015 he won the 24-hour race from Le Mans with Porsche. A prestigious success. Hülkenberg had lived on the Swiss side near Lake Constance for a long time, now he has moved to Monaco with his family. He is married to fashion designer Egle Ruskyte, and the two have had a daughter since September 2021. The only thing missing is the first podium in Formula 1. But it will probably have to wait a while.
