Former Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner has expressed skepticism about Nico Hulkenberg’s chances of securing another podium finish in Formula 1, despite the German driver’s recent success at the British Grand Prix. Hulkenberg broke his long-standing streak of podium-less races with an impressive climb from 19th to 3rd place at Silverstone, achieving his first podium after many years in the sport.
At 37 years old, Hulkenberg had held the record for most F1 starts without a podium before this breakthrough. However, Steiner remains doubtful about the likelihood of Hulkenberg reaching the podium again, partially due to the challenges associated with Audi’s entry into F1 and their inexperience with the new power unit.
Challenges Ahead with Audi’s F1 Entry Cited as Major Barrier
During an appearance on the Red Flags podcast, Steiner discussed Hulkenberg’s future, emphasizing the hurdles presented by Audi’s debut in Formula 1. Steiner noted:
“I don’t know when he retires to start with, but if it takes another 239 races, it’s about 10 years. I was too old for that one then. You know, he’s in an Audi next year, brake.”
“As much as I wish and I would be happy for him, I think I think that’s it. It’s just like Audi next year. I mean, a completely new engine. They never did an F1 engine. I think it’s just so difficult to get a podium.”
This highlights the complexity of winning races with a new manufacturer who has yet to establish a competitive engine, suggesting that Hulkenberg’s podium chances could diminish as a result of the technical and developmental struggles Audi faces in its inaugural season.
Nico Hulkenberg’s Return to Formula 1 and His Reflections on Success
Hulkenberg returned to F1 in 2023 under the guidance of Guenther Steiner, rejoining the sport after a three-year absence. His resurgence culminated in a standout performance at Silverstone, which resonated widely across the racing community.
After the race, Hulkenberg expressed heartfelt thanks to his supporters and fans for their encouragement. On social media, he shared:
“Hello everybody, a week or a little bit more on from Silverstone Sunday, just wanted to take the opportunity and say thank you to a lot of people. It was very overwhelming, the reactions and the amount of close people, supporters, friends, family, of course, but also fans and just people I don’t even know.”
“So it means a lot. I appreciate it. It’s very nice to see all that support and love and positivity.’ Obviously it took a couple of days to reflect on it and digest and let it sink in. Feels very good,” he added.
This milestone reflects not only personal achievement but also Hulkenberg’s renewed motivation as he competes with Kick Sauber F1 amid evolving team dynamics and car upgrades.
Recent Strong Performances Highlight Growing Competitiveness
Hulkenberg’s performance trend has trended upwards, as he has outscored world champion Max Verstappen across the last four Grands Prix. Accumulating 37 points in total, 31 of which came from recent race weekends, Hulkenberg has benefited from significant enhancements to the Sauber car, which have boosted his competitiveness.
Despite this progress, the uncertain future with Audi’s new F1 project introduces considerable challenges, underscoring why Steiner remains cautious about repeated podium finishes from Hulkenberg. The transition to a new engine and team development will play a crucial role in shaping Hulkenberg’s trajectory in upcoming seasons.