Current Nico Hülkenberg

Never have I known so many people rate a test driver as a future world champion so I thought I'd start a thread for people to pass there opinions on young Nico.

Has an incredible record in other Formula's - won A1 Go in 06, won F3 euro masters in 08, won GP2 in 09 and then came into F1. There was a lot of hype around Mr Hulkenberg in arriving in F1 as he was seen as the next 'Lewis Hamilton' but in all honest in the car he was driving he was never going to be able to match what Lewis did as a rookie the question remains though did he do enough? He scored 25 points to his experienced team-mate Rubens Barrichello's 47 which doesn't look good - however is it unfair to judge a rookie against the most experienced F1 driver in history? Especially a driver who was having a resurgent after being a world championship contender the season before.

To be fair to Hulkenberg he got better as the season went on and it was clear he was getting to grips with F1 - the icing on the cake of course was the brilliant pole he scored in the wet in Brazil. Although tactical he was advised as when to go and on what tyres he still had to produce the time and being on pole by over a second is pretty impressive. I think if Williams could have afforded to keep him on they would have done but needs must when the bank manager drives and poor old Nico was shown the door.

Currently testing with Force India and you have to think that right now he's breathing down Sutil's neck for the race seat. I really hope they take a gamble on him earlier than later as want to see how he fares against Di Resta - I actually think that might be the making of both of them. Currently Di Resta is being praised and lined up for the Merc drive at the moment but you have to say if Hulkenberg comes in and beats him surely Merc would take the Nico option?

Is he as good as he's hyped or does having Will Weber as you manager help you become hyped up? Interestingly back in 2009, when he was being considered for replacing Luca Badoer at Ferrari, Weber stated that Hulkenberg would not take the seat now but he would sign for Ferrari in 3 years time - that makes 2012 - next season!

As mentioned on another thread there have been 2 world champions who have had a season of F1 and then dropped out to take a test driver role for another year - Mika Hakkinen and Fernando Alonso - will Nico make it a hattrick?
 
Monaco could be an opportunity given the attrition rate. You watch all 20 of the buggers finish the race now...
 
He is not only the holder of the Martini belt for most races without a podium but also the De Cesaris belt for most races without a win.

No one else is even close.
 
If only he won in Brazil 2012 then you wonder what might have been?

Hulkenberg is very good in the wet so if there is a wet race that might be his best chance
 
Not so much of a fuss about Nico new "record" of most GP's without a podium as there was about Hammy's pole record but then I suppose it's a record no one wants to get.
 
But in many ways a far more funny, and thus interesting one. You better get on the podium at some point, Hulk, because Slasher truly deserves this one.
 
Nico Hulkenberg has been the proud wearer of the CTA Pierluggi Martini belt (for most races without a podium) and the CTA Andre De Cessaries belt (for most races without a win) for quite some time now. I afraid I Don't see it changing.
 
I have never rated him that highly I will be honest. He has not really been pitted against a reliable yardstick except possibly in his rookie year, I'm sure he is good, but I don't feel he is in the Nick Heidfeld bracket.
 
If you'd asked me the difference in quality between Heidfeld and Jenson Button in 2008, I'd have said there wasn't one.

Heidfeld wins races in the cars Button raced in for the next four years, and a title to boot.
 
Funnily enough, I think all three of them would win the same kind of races. Chaotic, changeable (and not wet) conditions. All about being on the right tyres and picking off those who may be more skillful (e.g. Hamilton) but trying the impossible.
 
For me, Nico has nearly shown that at a couple of points, but i think a lot of his reputation comes from little substance. He has had a car that could have got him results, but fell short of delivering. I am maybe being harsh, but i dont see that flash of brilliance that others in a similar position have shown, other than a couple of Brazilian performances, which show me that the car was capable, but delivery was not forthcoming.

Just the opinion of an idiot though.
 
I think the evidence regarding Hulkenberg is flimsy at best. If he's shown up by Sainz as he was by Perez then I think his Formula One career is done with, and he'll have a diminished reputation as he heads to WEC.

Palmer and Gutierrez have both been extraordinarily flattering to him; they're both poor.

Having said that, if he beats Sainz then he'll be looking like a Heidfeld.

I actually don't know where he is. Rosberg is the last one like that and he turned out pretty good. Hulk might just be a Fisichella, though!
 
Well should Renault improve again next season which a lot of people expect they will do so then Hulkenberg will get a podium finally

His career has been blighted usually by going up against drivers who have more money and less talent so he does not get the drives he should

I maintain if he was in the 2012 Williams that Maldonado drove he would have scored more points and got more podiums
 
Yes everyone is expecting Renault to improve but everyone seems to be expecting every team to improve. What with Mclaren's challenging for wins, Renault's and Williams getting podiums but Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull still expecting to be the top teams someone is getting to get a rude awaking.
 
His career has been blighted usually by going up against drivers who have more money and less talent so he does not get the drives he should

Disculpe?! He lost to Perez twice in a row. My rating of Hülkenberg has suffered since then. It also isn't just bad luck that he hasn't finished on the podium. He's had multiple chances to finish on the podium, but has thrown them away. His best chances was probably 2012 Brazilian GP, where took himself and Hamilton out.
Perez on the other hand has always taken advantage of the opportunity to finish on the podium, e.g. 2012 Malaysia in tricky conditions.
Both drivers are equally experienced too.
 
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