Nico Hülkenberg could replace Schumacher at Haas next year
The Mexican Grand Prix was one of Mick Schumacher's last chances to shine for Haas. The team is looking for a second driver, as the German has not yet confirmed his candidacy. Nico Hülkenberg could well be the best choice.
Nico Hülkenberg was until today the reserve driver for Aston Martin team. The team announced today that it will be Stoffel Vandoorne who will become the new reserve driver in 2023, making Hülkenberg a free agent.
Haas, on the other hand, has only confirmed one of its two drivers for 2023 so far: Kevin Magnussen. Team principal Steiner is still taking time to consider renewing Mick Schumacher’s contract, as the young driver has not shown the expected talent after almost two full seasons in Formula 1.
If Ricciardo was once considered as a potential replacement for Schumacher at Haas, the Australian driver has confirmed that no discussions are taking place and, more importantly, that he prefers not to play the role of a backmarker in 2023.
With the expectation of Mick Schumacher’s confirmation and today’s announcement of Aston Martin’s reserve driver change, it is therefore highly likely that the Haas team will announce a change of main driver for 2023 and call upon Nico Hülkenberg.
« Yes, I am honest, we are in discussion with Nico,” Günther Steiner stated at the beginning of October. « For now, it’s 50/50. We won’t make a decision before the Mexican Grand Prix because we don’t have time,” he explained.
The last time Hülkenberg took the wheel of an F1 car was in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia this season, replacing Vettel who was sick with Covid-19. He finished 17th with a car he didn’t really know in Bahrain, and then 12th in Jeddah.
Has the decision therefore been made since Mexico has passed?
