Nico Hulkenberg, the seasoned German driver who made a notable return to Formula 1 with Haas in 2023, is not shying away from the possibility of advancing up the pitlane in 2025. Following a year marked by candid criticism of Haas’ stagnation in development, which saw the team finishing at the bottom of the standings, Hulkenberg’s future at Haas seems anything but certain. His reflections on the team’s performance and the recent ousting of team boss Gunther Steiner highlight a period of significant transition and uncertainty within the squad.
Hulkenberg was caught off-guard by Steiner’s departure, a change initiated by team owner Gene Haas in the interlude between Christmas and New Year. Despite the surprise, Hulkenberg expressed a sense of loss for Steiner, acknowledging the pivotal role he played in bringing him back to the sport. “He opened the door for me and that’s part of why I’m sorry he left,” Hulkenberg shared with Sky Deutschland, underscoring the personal and professional impact of the decision.
As Haas embarks on a rebuilding phase, Hulkenberg’s comments reflect both a commitment to aiding the team’s recovery and an openness to exploring opportunities that may arise in a dynamic driver market. The German driver’s performance in the early races of 2024 could be crucial in determining his future, whether that remains with Haas or elsewhere. “I just hope to get the most out of 2024 and present myself as best as possible, then everything will fall into place,” he stated, highlighting the importance of early-season results on his career trajectory.
The shake-up at Haas has not only affected Hulkenberg but also his teammate Kevin Magnussen, who expressed support for the team’s new direction under Ayao Komatsu. Magnussen’s comments underline a shared recognition of the need for change and improvement within the team, particularly in terms of development trajectory. “I love Guenther,” said the Dane. “I’ve had a great relationship with him since I’ve been at Haas. But it’s also exciting to see changes – real changes.
“I think it’s great that Ayao (Komatsu) is already addressing some of the elephants in the room by emphasising that our development trajectory hadn’t been good. It’s certainly a very exciting time for us at Haas.”
The departure of Steiner, a charismatic figure popularized by his appearances in the Netflix series “Drive to Survive,” marks the end of an era for Haas. Yet, as Greg Hall from team title sponsor Moneygram points out, such changes are often a necessary response to underperformance. “If you’re not producing results, owners tend to make changes,” he said. “I think most people can understand this.”
