10 – Nico Hulkenberg

Credit: Williams F1

Stats

• Birthday: 19th August 1987
• Nationality: German
• Lives:
• Website: nico-huelkenberg.de

Career

Nico’s career by year. The bracketed number is his final position at the end of the series.

• 2005 – Formula BMW ADAC (1st)
• 2006 – German Formula Three (5th), A1 Grand Prix (1st)
• 2007 – Formula Three Euroseries (3rd)
• 2008 – Formula Three Euroseries (1st), GP2 Asia Series (6th)
• 2009 – GP2 Series (1st)
• 2010 – Formula 1

2010 Preview

From the F1 Digest 2010 Season Preview:

Hulkenberg makes the step up in 2010 from Williams test driver to full time race driver. He’s had plenty of experience with the team previously, so will hopefully know and get on with everyone. He’s also got a very experienced teammate in the shape of Rubens Barrichello, who he can learn his craft from. In terms of his previous life, Nico can be compared to Lewis Hamilton as they are the only two drivers to have won the GP2 Series Championship in their maiden season. He’s also won Formula BMW, A1 Grand Prix and Formula Three Euroseries, giving him some form as he joins the top formula. Whether we will still be able to compare him to Hamilton remains to be seen.

Nico had the benefit of being confirmed at his new team very early on, and if his performance in previous years, and his rating throughout the paddock is anything to go by, Sir Frank might struggle to keep a hold of him. He’s German and he’s managed by Wili Weber, so if I had to put my money anywhere, it would be on Mercedes. Apparently, Ferrari have also been interested in the past. This year could be the result on his CV that gives him that step up.