Nico Hülkenberg: “An information overload”

Nico Hülkenberg had to answer Aston Martin’s last-minute call and will replace his compatriot Sebastian Vettel this weekend, due to coronavirus. Although the German is not new to the environment, he admits having to digest a tremendous amount of information in a short time frame.

Hülkenberg has driven for several different teams since 2010 and had his last full season in 2019 with Renault. However, he became the substitute driver for Racing Point the following year when Sergio Pérez and Lance Stroll had to withdraw from a Grand Prix after testing positive for Covid-19.

Two years later, here he is on the verge of resuming his role in the team, renamed Aston Martin.

« It’s obviously a very interesting situation,” admits Hülkenberg. « I’ll just take it step by step, session by session. I haven’t been in a car for five or six days, so it will probably take a few laps to get back into the swing of things. I’m just planning on going at my own pace to get back in the groove,” the driver confides.

Let’s remember, Nico Hülkenberg’s last appearance in a Grand Prix was at the Nürburgring in 2020, where he was replacing Lance Stroll. Since then, the German has only worked on simulators, which significantly limits his preparation.

« There will be many challenges, he admits. » This day is going to be an overload of information. So for me, the goal is simply to get in the car, see how it goes and be comfortable. I’ve spent time away from racing, and these cars are completely new. The last time I came back […], I knew how these cars would behave and what I could get out of them. Now I’m starting from a blank sheet […]. I just need to have a good feeling and of course learn as quickly as possible. But I’m definitely not in an easy situation, reveals Nico Hülkenberg.