Max Verstappen remains Red Bull Racing’s standout performer, securing the majority of points for the team since Daniel Ricciardo’s departure in 2019. Looking to strengthen the team’s lineup, former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher has identified Nico Hulkenberg as the perfect teammate to accompany Verstappen. The discussion has intensified following Red Bull’s recent struggles to find a consistent second driver during the ongoing season.
Challenges for Red Bull in Finding a Reliable Partner for Verstappen
Red Bull’s recent attempts to replace Sergio Perez have failed to produce a teammate who can match Verstappen’s pace. The Austrian outfit first introduced Liam Lawson, who was quickly swapped for Yuki Tsunoda after just two races due to underperformance. Tsunoda, still adapting to Red Bull’s car, has struggled to secure top-10 finishes, raising concerns over Red Bull’s overall competitiveness and its position in the teams‘ championship standings.
Why Ralf Schumacher Backs Nico Hulkenberg for Red Bull
Ralf Schumacher believes that Nico Hulkenberg is the driver best suited to complement Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing. Schumacher emphasized the good rapport between the two Germans, which could ease a potential partnership within the team’s dynamics. He also highlighted Hulkenberg’s promising performance for Sauber so far this season, indicating that the German’s consistency and experience would benefit Red Bull.
“[Nico Hulkenberg] would look good at his [Max Verstappen’s] side. They get along and Nico started well in Hinwil. You can also see it from the results, we cross our fingers.”
— Ralf Schumacher, Former F1 Driver
Hulkenberg’s name has been linked to Red Bull for a while, with previous discussions dating back to 2021 that did not come to fruition. The former Le Mans winner has since maintained a strong presence in Formula 1, driving steadily for teams like Haas and Sauber. Despite holding the record for the most races without a podium, Hulkenberg’s reliability and consistent point-scoring performances make him a valuable asset.
Red Bull’s Long-Standing Struggle to Secure a Competitive Number Two Driver
Over the past decade, no Red Bull driver besides Max Verstappen has managed to consistently challenge at the front. This issue has persisted despite numerous car developments and attempts to improve the team’s driver lineup. Red Bull’s inability to deploy a strong second driver remains a significant challenge, especially in the context of the constructors’ championship battle.
Hulkenberg’s Experience and Its Potential Impact at Red Bull
According to Ralf Schumacher, Nico Hulkenberg’s experience across midfield teams like Force India and Renault positions him as an ideal candidate to provide useful feedback and improve the car’s performance. At 37 years old, Hulkenberg has garnered extensive knowledge of car development through years of racing in teams requiring substantial setup work rather than relying on already dominant machinery like Mercedes.
“I don’t want to offend anyone, but I can imagine that Nico’s feedback is the best that Sauber has had in recent years. He learned from experience, he has always been in teams where there was a lot of work to do: he was not in Mercedes, for example, where the car was perfect and the driver just had to drive.”
— Ralf Schumacher, Former F1 Driver
Hulkenberg’s expertise could enable him to clearly communicate what the car needs, giving him a chance to extract performance closer to Verstappen’s level. However, Red Bull has not yet indicated any active interest in signing the German for the upcoming season, leaving fans curious about the team’s next steps in reinforcing its driver lineup.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for Red Bull’s Future
The prospect of Nico Hulkenberg joining Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen offers a potential solution to the team’s persistent struggles with a second driver. If the pairing works, it could strengthen Red Bull’s position in both driver and constructors’ championships by providing a reliable and experienced teammate who can consistently score points. However, any move remains speculative, as Red Bull has not confirmed pursuing Hulkenberg or adjusted its plans beyond the current season.
As the Formula 1 calendar progresses, attention will focus on Red Bull’s strategy for 2025 and beyond, with Verstappen’s ideal teammate choice playing a crucial role in sustaining the team’s competitiveness at the highest level.
