Le Mans a track for 'real men' - Nico Hülkenberg

Le Mans is a circuit for "real men" of motor racing. That is the claim of Nico Hülkenberg, who has qualified a strong third overall for his debut in the fabled 24 hour race set to take place this weekend. "Driving here is fascinating," the German, who is combining his part-time Porsche seat this year with formula one, is quoted by Brazil's Globo. "It's an old track, for real men," Hulkenberg smiled. "You really have to pay attention!"

As for the difference between endurance sports car racing and F1, he said: "It is different, but it's not that hard to get used to. When you hear 'endurance', you think of saving the car and tyres. But very quickly I learned that's not right. The tyres are very consistent and this enables you to really push," added Hulkenberg.

The 27-year-old revealed that he has been helped on his learning curve by Porsche stablemate Mark Webber, who left formula one completely at the end of 2013. The plain-speaking Australian is among those who regret the direction F1 has moved in over the past half-decade. "When they changed the rules and with (tyre supplier) Pirelli, the G-forces plummeted," he is quoted by Spain's El Confidencial.

"Suddenly, the drivers could be 30 per cent less fit. For us, the most demanding period for speeds, braking and cornering was the mid-2000s. The stands were full because the cars looked and sounded fantastic and were difficult to drive," Webber added. (GMM)

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Date
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Bahrain
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia
21 - Mar 23 2025
China
4 - Apr 6 2025
Japan
11 - Apr 13 2025
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20 2025
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2 - May 4 2025
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23 - May 25 2025
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30 - Jun 1 2025
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13 - Jun 15 2025
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27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27 2025
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1 - Aug 3 2025
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29 - Aug 31 2025
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5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5 2025
Singapore
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America
24 - Oct 26 2025
Mexico
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America
28 - Nov 30 2025
Qatar
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23 2025
4 - Apr 6 2025
11 - Apr 13 2025
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18 2025
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1 2025
13 - Jun 15 2025
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27 2025
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5 2025
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26 2025
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30 2025
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
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