228 replies to this topic

[gillesthegenius]

Name: Nico Hulkenberg
Age: 24 (D/O/B:19/08/87)
Nationality: German
Current team: Force India
Career Highlights:
- 2009 GP2 Champion
- 2008 F3 Euroseries Champion
- 2007 A1GP Champion


Now that Germany's forgotten son has got himself back into an f1 race seat, can he remind the world of what he promised to do in f1 when he was coming through the junior series?

2012 will be an especially decisive year for him, given that he is pitted against another highly rated youngster in the shape of Paul di Resta.

[sofarapartguy]

His achivements in juniors series were hugely impressive. That's why i felt quite unfair he was thrown away in 2010.

He just HAS to be special. No excuses.

[FTATRWeSaluteYou]

Good Driver. I can see him replacing Hamilton in 2013. Looking forward to it.

[aray]

i believe he would have done better if not debuted with that accursed team...hoping to see him justifying his potential in 2012..

[Zava]

he has to impress, 2013 is the time of change at (nearly) all the big teams.

[Anderis]

My guess is that Kubiccia will remind us here soon that Hulk is overhyped.

I hope Hulk will prove that scoring less points than Rubens in first half 2010 (in second he has scored more) doesn't mean that he cannot shine at the right circumstances in the future.

[ivand911]

I think beating his teammate is a must for him. Finishing in top 10 will be a great result for 2012.

[fed up]

My guess is that Kubiccia will remind us here soon that Hulk is overhyped.

I hope Hulk will prove that scoring less points than Rubens in first half 2010 (in second he has scored more) doesn't mean that he cannot shine at the right circumstances in the future.

Yep, over-hyped for me. I can't see him beating Di Resta but I could be wrong and will be happy to change my opinion on the guy if he turns out to be the real deal. Doubt it though...

[Anderis]

Let's wait and see. I'm too much tired to start trying to prove one more time that he is better than some people think. He will (or not) defend himself on the circuit.

[Nobody]

a while ago remember him being hyped as baby schumi & vettel was little schumi

[Andy865]

His junior carreer is one of the best on record once he hit f3.

[Anderis]

I guess Nico is the most titled driver ever in junior racing series (surely the most titled young driver in recent years). It cannot be just an incident, luck or whatsoever. I'm sure he may become absolutely 1st tier driver if he is given a proper chance.
Many WDCs didn't really shine at their rookie seasons.

[sofarapartguy]

I guess Nico is the most titled driver ever in junior racing series (surely the most titled young driver in recent years). It cannot be just an incident, luck or whatsoever. I'm sure he may become absolutely 1st tier driver if he is given a proper chance.
Many WDCs didn't really shine at their rookie seasons.

Really?

Edited by sofarapartguy, 22 December 2011 - 15:27.

[Seanspeed]

Whatever bitter forumer rated this thread one star should be banned for the pure pettiness of the act.

[Starish]

All I remember about 2010 is Kamui Kobayashi scoring more points than Hulk and Petrov with a way worse car.

Edited by Starish, 22 December 2011 - 17:06.

[metz]

Good Driver. I can see him replacing Hamilton in 2013. Looking forward to it.

That would surprise the German media. Ron Dennis has never, ever hired a German driver.
Even with all the Mercedes pressure to do so, McLaren has resisted the likes of HHF, Schumacher, Heidfeld, Rosberg and Vettel in '08.
Co-incidence you say? I think not.
Hulkenberg shows great promise, but I wouldn't hold my breath for a McLaren seat.

[Seanspeed]

That would surprise the German media. Ron Dennis has never, ever hired a German driver.
Even with all the Mercedes pressure to do so, McLaren has resisted the likes of HHF, Schumacher, Heidfeld, Rosberg and Vettel in '08.
Co-incidence you say? I think not.
Hulkenberg shows great promise, but I wouldn't hold my breath for a McLaren seat.

So you're trying to say Ron Dennis doesn't like German people?

[metz]

So you're trying to say Ron Dennis doesn't like German people?

Not at all....

[Don_Humpador]

Whatever bitter forumer rated this thread one star should be banned for the pure pettiness of the act.

Yeah and you should be banned too for that petty remark.

People can vote whatever they want. [It wasn't me btw, honest ]

Personally I'm in the "unconvinced" camp with Hulkenberg. I don't think he's really an upgrade over Sutil. He has talent but eh, I'm not so sure that he's as special as some people believe.

[gillesthegenius]

That would surprise the German media. Ron Dennis has never, ever hired a German driver.
Even with all the Mercedes pressure to do so, McLaren has resisted the likes of HHF, Schumacher, Heidfeld, Rosberg and Vettel in '08.
Co-incidence you say? I think not.
Hulkenberg shows great promise, but I wouldn't hold my breath for a McLaren seat.

Mclaren tried to sign Shumi up in 96 and then they were interested in Rosberg and Vettel for 2008. In all three instances, it was the drivers who decided to go/stay elsewhere.

[metz]

Mclaren tried to sign Shumi up in 96 and then they were interested in Rosberg and Vettel for 2008. In all three instances, it was the drivers who decided to go/stay elsewhere.

This myth has been debunked many times in other threads.
Let's see if the departure of Mercedes and the lesser role of Ron will change history.

[Group B]

Yeah and you should be banned too for that petty remark.

People can vote whatever they want. [It wasn't me btw, honest ]

Personally I'm in the "unconvinced" camp with Hulkenberg. I don't think he's really an upgrade over Sutil. He has talent but eh, I'm not so sure that he's as special as some people believe.

Have to agree. I very much hope he does well, but I'm not yet convinced he's clearly better than Sutil.

[DS27]

Seems like nice guy who clearly deserves another chance. I think (and hope) he will do well - but I thought that about Jan Magnusson..

[metz]

Is he managed by Weber?

[hammibal]

Good Driver. I can see him replacing Hamilton in 2013. Looking forward to it.

Big jump from getting beat by Rubens to replacing Lewis at McLaren methinks

[Collective]

Is he managed by Weber?

Not anymore

[metz]

Not anymore

Do we know who?
Seems that the ability to get a good seat these days has more to do with your negotiating skill than your driving talent.

[Sakae]

Not in Vettel's case.

[metz]

Not in Vettel's case.

Not so sure.
Before he got the STR seat we had no idea of his F1 skills. Indy '07 was average.
And although BMW had an option on him for '08 they turned him down and stayed with Kubica and Heidfeld.

Once you do get a top seat you need to perform to keep it. Otherwise you do a Kovi/McLaren. (unless you're Massa)
But Massa is a good example of contract skills.

Edited by metz, 22 December 2011 - 20:26.

[bourbon]

Well I've got my eye on him, sadly, replacing Alguersauri as a young one to watch. I felt he did a good enough job in his first year to retain a seat, so it is no surprise to me that he is back. I expect he'll do quite well and move up through the ranks. Timing is what one cannot know, a season, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10 - but if given the chance, I think he'll bloom. Same with Perez. We'll have to see if any of the other newbies fall on my radar - that is a highlight of F1, finding young drivers to follow. The only uncool thing is if they get the boot before their time.

[Sakae]

Not so sure.
Before he got the STR seat we had no idea of his F1 skills. Indy '07 was average.
And although BMW had an option on him for '08 they turned him down and stayed with Kubica and Heidfeld.

Once you do get a top seat you need to perform to keep it. Otherwise you do a Kovi/McLaren. (unless you're Massa)
But Massa is a good example of contract skills.

There was an article in news this year, that RBR management actually undertaken upon themselves to protect his interest, because he had no one to negotiate contract for him. RBR basically came forward, and with Marko in lead dealt fairly with him. Negotiator with his fee probably could not do much better for him. (I cannot speak about his early years; I was always under impression that he had commercial ties with RBR, and BMW would have to buy him out. But, this year I heard some different stories, so I do not know what happened).

[Zava]

This myth has been debunked many times in other threads.
Let's see if the departure of Mercedes and the lesser role of Ron will change history.

wut? Kovi was only third choice for mclaren, common knowledge...

[Trust]

This is a new Kimi, talent wise, but I could be wrong.

[scheivlak]

Really?

Rindt, Lauda, Jones, Mansell....

[gillesthegenius]

Not so sure.
Before he got the STR seat we had no idea of his F1 skills. Indy '07 was average.
And although BMW had an option on him for '08 they turned him down and stayed with Kubica and Heidfeld.

He was only 20 back then and BMW who wanted to challenge for the title thought that he wasnt ready enough for that challenge. Even a 20 year old Hamilton wasnt thought to be ready enough to drive for Mclaren when Coulthard was dropped.

Anyways, getting back on topic, I personally would like to see 'The Hulk' beat Di Resta in 2012 and secure a Mclaren or a Mercedese seat for 2013.

Edited by gillesthegenius, 23 December 2011 - 01:48.

[zarooch]

This is a new Kimi, talent wise, but I could be wrong.

+1

I don't know if its just me, but some times I see Raikkonen in his eyes/face.

[gillesthegenius]

Hulkenberg was worried money might undo race return

[seahawk]

He was clearly destroyed by rubens in his first season. I see no good reason why he is back. FI could have taken Petrov or Senna, who show somuch more potential and bring money to the team.

[Anderis]

He was clearly destroyed by rubens in his first season.

No, he wasn't. He scored more points than Rubens in second half of the season. And the difference in points overall was so big only due to race in Valencia, when both Williams's drivers have very simillar pace, but Barrichello scored his best result of the season, and Hulk scored nothing. Hulk was 2 times in Top5 in qualifying, Rubens was none.

Funny thing: Senna and Petrov showed more potential. Both are several years older than Nico and Petrov had never finished the race in front of Kubica (at those races which they both have finished), and was beaten more often than not by Heidfeld, who was sacked due to not performing (only due to Nick's bad luck difference in points wasn't much bigger than it was), and Senna only finished once during 8 races ahead of the same Petrov.

[sofarapartguy]

We usually don't take an achievements in a lower series in a drivers' scorecard. But just look at what Nico has done in past years.. How can we argue about Petrov or Senna having more potential than Hulk?

The only reason of Hulk dropped out of the seat in 2010 - Williams's behavior and Weber's greed. Not Nico's lack of talent.

Edited by sofarapartguy, 23 December 2011 - 11:39.

[gillesthegenius]

He was clearly destroyed by rubens in his first season. I see no good reason why he is back. FI could have taken Petrov or Senna, who show somuch more potential and bring money to the team.

You love coming up with inflammatory statements, dont you?

[phil1993]

Here's an interview I conducted with Nico. Thought his fans would be interested
http://www.f1zone.ne...is-worth/11546/

Thanks.

[Sakae]

Hulk hasn't even left area of his box, and some minds are already made up. That's another Vettel/Schumacher threads in making.
I wish him well, and lets see what Mr. Resta can do against him.

Edited by Sakae, 17 January 2012 - 00:58.

[bub]

I guess Nico is the most titled driver ever in junior racing series (surely the most titled young driver in recent years). It cannot be just an incident, luck or whatsoever. I'm sure he may become absolutely 1st tier driver if he is given a proper chance.
Many WDCs didn't really shine at their rookie seasons.

I agree. I hope he does well and I think he will.
Hulkenberg/Di Resta is an interesting battle.

Edited by bub, 16 January 2012 - 14:47.

[sofarapartguy]

Here's an interview I conducted with Nico. Thought his fans would be interested
http://www.f1zone.ne...is-worth/11546/

Thanks.

Wow, I didn't know he has been signed after Korean GP. Yes, he looked very confident by the end of the season, but anyway.. It was really early driver line-up decision for a team like FI.

Although there was some rumor about Mallia willing to brake a deal with Nico to keep Sutil.

[Currahee]

I agree. I hope he does well and I think he will.
Hulkenberg/Di Resta is an interesting battle.

It will be a good battle between those 2.

I think they'll spur each other on and in turn push Force India onwards and upwards.

Good pairing.

[FenderJaguar]

Spent some time today watching the review of the 2010 season and even if the beginning of the season was so so there were a lot of times Nico showed true potential. I think he has "it". It will be very interesting to see what he can do.

Edited by FenderJaguar, 16 January 2012 - 23:55.

[DanardiF1]

Spent some time today watching the review of the 2010 season and even if the beginning of the season was so so there were a lot of times Nico showed true potential. I think he has "it". It will be very interesting to see what he can do.

+1

Hulkenberg has the talent to join that top group of drivers. Him and Di Resta are a fantastic lineup for Force India, and having two hungry young drivers with their kind of talent can only be a good thing.

[Dolph]

This myth has been debunked many times in other threads.
Let's see if the departure of Mercedes and the lesser role of Ron will change history.

What myth? There's a video of Ron trying to talk down Schumacher after a fashion show.

Here's the link:

Edited by Dolph, 17 January 2012 - 23:06.

[Mastah]

New helmet:

http://twitpic.com/8dimhy