Hulkenberg replaces Schumacher at Haas for 2023

Nico Hulkenberg will return to Formula 1 with Haas in 2023, replacing Mick Schumacher.

The German returns from a three-year hiatus, last driving full-time in F1 with Renault in 2019, but completing reserve duties for Aston Martin and their previous name, Racing Point.

Hulkenberg replaces the outgoing Schumacher, following the young German’s struggles in his two F1 campaigns with Haas.

Schumacher has suffered multiple expensive crashes, most recently his big smashes at Saudi Arabia and Monaco while his teammate Kevin Magnussen snatched a pole position in Brazil last weekend.

Team principal Guenther Steiner gave his reasons for signing Hulkenberg, saying:

““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.”

Hulkenberg made his debut in Formula 1 in 2o1o following a championship-winning season a year earlier in 2009.

Despite never taking a win nor a podium, Hulkenberg does have a pole position to his name, following a stunning performance in mixed conditions at the 2010 Brazilian Grand Prix.

“I’m very happy to move into a full-time race seat with Haas F1 Team in 2023,” said Nico Hulkenberg.

“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 Günther 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.”

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