Hulkenberg Almost Signed by Red Bull in 2021: Marko Reveals

Nico Hulkenberg was close to becoming Max Verstappen’s teammate in 2021, according to Helmut Marko, Red Bull advisor. Red Bull opted for Sergio Pérez for the season in which Verstappen obtained his first championship, after his outstanding victory in the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix. At that time, the team was looking to replace Alex Albon and had been impressed by Hulkenberg’s appearances that season as a substitute due to Covid-19.

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

Helmut Marko

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

Pérez’s tenure at Red Bull lasted until last season, when he was dropped amid irregular 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 four-time champion Verstappen, achieved a highly celebrated podium finish 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 obtain 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 have also been among the best positions.

Helmut Marko