BREAKING:Nico Hulkenberg Linked to Shock Red Bull Move Amid Driver C…read more
BREAKING:Nico Hulkenberg Linked to Shock Red Bull Move Amid Driver C…read more
In a surprising turn of events, Sauber driver Nico Hulkenberg has been tipped for a potential move to Red Bull, with former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher suggesting the experienced German could be a perfect fit alongside Max Verstappen.
Red Bull’s driver situation has been far from stable early in the 2025 season. After just two races, the team controversially swapped Liam Lawson, who has struggled to break into the top 10, with Yuki Tsunoda in a highly criticized move between Red Bull’s main team and junior squad, Racing Bulls. Despite Verstappen’s strong performances, currently sitting second in the World Championship, Lawson’s lack of results led to his swift demotion, having only completed 13 races.
Schumacher believes Red Bull made a major misstep by not selecting an experienced driver to replace Sergio Perez at the end of 2024. Speaking with Sky Sports Germany, the six-time Grand Prix winner explained that Hulkenberg would have been the ideal candidate to pair with Verstappen. The German driver, who is still searching for his first F1 podium after 229 races, is known for his consistency in both qualifying and race conditions.
“I might have even considered an outside option if possible,” said Schumacher. “The real mistake was not bringing Nico Hulkenberg into the car from the start. It was Christian Horner’s decision, and apparently, he didn’t want him, which is what I’ve heard. They needed a clear, experienced No. 2 driver alongside Max, and I think that would have worked perfectly.”
Schumacher also hinted that Horner’s desire to bring in Franco Colapinto backfired following the junior driver’s recent string of crashes. Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, Dr. Helmut Marko, had previously supported the idea of promoting a junior driver, but Schumacher remains unconvinced about pairing Verstappen with someone without significant experience.
“At the moment, I don’t see any junior driver being the right fit alongside Max,” Schumacher concluded.
As Red Bull continues to grapple with their driver lineup, the spotlight is now on whether Hulkenberg could make a shock return to a top team, and whether Red Bull’s leadership will reconsider their decision to overlook him.
