John N
Formula 1 driver Nico Hulkenberg will make a full-time racing return to the sport with Haas in 2023, replacing Mick Schumacher. The German, 35, left F1 at the end of 2019 but subsequently made five substitute appearances for Racing Point and Aston Martin, most recently standing in for Sebastian Vettel for the first two races of this year. He has amassed 181 Grand Prix starts – driving for Williams, Force India, Sauber and Renault – and played the role of reserve driver for Aston Martin for the last two seasons.
“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.”
The Incredible Hulk is BACK! 💪
The German driver returns to the grid with @HaasF1Team for 2023 🙌#F1 pic.twitter.com/8D4ZOQ19qY
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 17, 2022
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. Press Tab to write more…
“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.”
Hulkenberg will begin work for Haas on Tuesday after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, driving this year’s car as part of the Pirelli test, with reserve driver Pietro Fittipaldi fulfilling young driver duties in a second car.
