Hulkenberg says no Le Mans for now

Force India driver Nico Hulkenberg has said that he doesn't think he will be able to return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans any time soon.

The German won the round-the-clock French Classic at his first attempt last year, driving for Porsche alongside Earl Bamber and Nick Tandy.

He was unable to make a return this year due to the race's clash with the European Grand Prix in Azerbaijan and he predicts that he wont be returning to the race until he is finished in Formula One.

"Firstly, winning is always cool, it's why I became a racing driver. But to do it with a big project and a brand like Porsche was mega-exciting," Hulkenberg said.

"After my time in formula one I definitely want to go there and do it again. Unfortunately, I don't think it will be the case in the foreseeable future that I will be able to do both (series) in parallel," he added.

Hulkenberg, often regarded as one of the best drivers on the grid, has so far been outshone by team mate Sergio Perez who is now courting the interest of Ferrari, a team previously on Hulkenberg's radar.

But he isn't surprised by the Mexican's performance in 2016, saying: "Not really. Already in the second half of last year he was very consistent."

The former Williams driver has pinned much of his early season woes on bad luck,.

"My season until Monaco had a lot of bad luck. I had so many problems -- not just in the race but also qualifying, and many things that are known only within the team," he said. "Sure, when it comes to how you look more generally it's not always ideal, but sometimes you just have to swallow the pill of bad luck."

Nevertheless, the 2009 GP2 champion believes he made the right choice by pledging his future to Force India last year.

"Since Barcelona we made a really big step forward with the update and now we are very well positioned for the rest of the season," he said.

Replies (1)

Login to reply
  • Wolfgang

    Posts: 313

    it´s a shame those dates are colliding....
    i´d like to see alonso, vettel etc in those WEC-monsters..

    • + 0
    • Jun 16 2016 - 12:23

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
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
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America
16 - May 18 2025
Italy
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco
30 - Jun 1 2025
Spain
13 - Jun 15 2025
Canada
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27 2025
Belgium
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands
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
See full schedule

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
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Audi
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country Germany
  • Date of b. Aug 19 1987 (38)
  • Place of b. Emmerich am Rhein, Germany
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.84 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar