Hulkenberg Almost Signed for Red Bull in 2021: Marko Reveals Details

Nico Hulkenberg was close to becoming Max Verstappen’s teammate in 2021, according to Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko. Red Bull opted for Sergio Pérez, who secured the victory at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix, which resulted in Verstappen’s championship season. At that time, the team was looking to replace Alex Albon and had been impressed by Hulkenberg’s appearances 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, and there were the beginnings of conversations.
Helmut Marko

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

Max Verstappen y Nico Hulkenberg tienen una buena relación dentro y fuera de la pista.

Pérez’s time at Red Bull lasted until last season, where he was replaced despite having achieved five victories for the team in four seasons.

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Hulkenberg finally returned to F1, first with Haas and then with Sauber this season. Hulkenberg, who maintains a good relationship with Verstappen, achieved his 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 obtain consistent results in the other car.

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