Hülkenberg: I am very happy to be joining Renault;
In 2017, Nico Hülkenberg will join the Renault team for two years, with an option for a third. The German driver says he's delighted to finally be joining the official team of a major manufacturer, which could give him his first F1 podium finish in the short term.
The announcement was made official early this afternoon by Renault: Nico Hülkenberg will be one of the two drivers for the team with the diamond logo next season.
The German, winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2015 among others, expressed his happiness at finally having the opportunity to join a manufacturer team after having made his career with independents like Williams, Sauber, or Force India: « I am very happy to join Renault in 2017. Renault has always been a major player in the world of motorsport and brings back incredible memories. With Renault, Michael Schumacher not only made Germany a F1 nation, but also awakened my enthusiasm and passion for racing. By being part of the Renault family, I want to develop the car and write new pages of success. »
The German does not forget to thank Force India for allowing him to join the Renault team: « At the end of the season, I will give everything to help Force India achieve fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship. It would be a tremendous achievement for the entire Force India team, the greatest success in its history, and a wonderful conclusion to our shared adventure. I am grateful to Force India for giving me the chance to seize this new opportunity. »
Hülkenberg’s commitment is therefore a good move for Renault, which does not hide its satisfaction: “We needed an experienced driver, always eager for podiums. Nico Hülkenberg perfectly fulfills this role and ideally complements what we aim to achieve. He is very talented, dedicated, and motivated. Nico will allow us to capitalize on all the work accomplished this season and translate it into better results on the track in 2017 and beyond,” concludes Jérôme Stoll, President of Renault Sport.
