Hulkenberg almost in Red Bull: Marko reveals frustrated signing

Nico Hulkenberg was close to being Max Verstappen’s teammate in 2021, according to Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko. Red Bull signed Sergio Pérez for what turned out to be the season of Verstappen’s first championship, after his outstanding victory at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix. The team was looking at that moment to replace Alex Albon and had been impressed by Hulkenberg’s appearances that season as a super-substitute due to Covid-19.

At that moment, [Hulkenberg] was, I believe, a commentator on Servus TV, so a relationship already existed and there were the beginnings of conversations.

Helmut Marko

Marko stated that Pérez’s victory in the penultimate race of the season changed everything.

Legend: Max Verstappen and Nico Hulkenberg have a good relationship on and off the track. Pérez’s time at Red Bull lasted until last season, when he was replaced amid declining results, although he achieved five victories for the team in four seasons.

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Hulkenberg finally returned to F1 after some time away, first with Haas and then with Sauber this season. Hulkenberg, who has a good relationship with Verstappen, four-time champion, achieved a highly celebrated first podium at the British Grand Prix. Marko suggested that signing Hulkenberg instead of Pérez could have been a better result for Red Bull, as he has struggled to get consistent results in the other car.

I think it would have been a really nice moment, because the two get along very well, and yes, Hulkenberg is a safe bank of points, and in our car it would also have been in leading positions.

Helmut Marko