Renault issues Hulkenberg a 'thank you' message

  • Published on 01 Dec 2019 10:23
  • comments 0
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Ahead of what is set to be his final grand prix with the Renault Formula 1 team, the Enstone squad has delivered a thank you message to Nico Hulkenberg.

Hulkenberg will not race in F1 next season, making it the first time since 2011 where a spot on the grid has not been partly made up by him.

Hulkenberg joined Renault in 2017 after spending three years at Force India, and has helped the team make gains following its comeback to the sport in 2016.

Renault sporting direcot Alan Premane said: “Nico is a driver who gets on with the job. He’s pretty no-nonsense and wants to race and develop the car, which has helped us no end.

"His feedback is exceptional as he strips the emotion away; even after a bad race he is able to deliver measured, constructive debriefs.

“His technical insight has been extremely important for us. I can remember one time in Silverstone in 2017 when he had been telling us about a particular handling characteristic of the R.S.17 – he wanted to carry more speed into the corners and felt the downforce was dropping off just where he needed it most.

"We developed a new floor to help with this and finally got one in time for the British Grand Prix. He didn’t say anything for a while on the radio and then finally keyed up.

"He said: ‘I haven’t said anything but if you could see my face, you’d see there was a massive smile on it!’ It kind of sums him up: when he’s got something to say, it’s always worth listening.”

Hulkenberg always 'determined to deliver'

In 2018, Hulkenberg finished seventh in the drivers' championship, which marked his highest ever finish across a season.

His best race result is fourth place, which he achieved three times - Belgium 2012, Korea 2013 and Belgium 2016.

Hulkenberg's race engineer Mark Slade added: “When Nico joined us for 2017 he took us to another level. Almost overnight we were back on the map and operating like a big team again.

"When you have someone you know can deliver, it’s like a form of subconscious motivation. He’s smart, efficient and doesn’t mess around, although he does have a particularly good sense of humour.

"He’s determined to deliver and he’s remarkably resilient, probably much more than we are in engineering! We’ve had some great races together, but the history books won’t do justice to them. It’s been a pleasure to work with him.

"I would say he’s in the top drawer of racing drivers I’ve worked with in my career. He’s felt part of the team and really invested in our development and that’s been a good feeling.”

Hulkenberg 'instrumental' in progress over last few years

Hulkenberg holds the unfortunate record of having the most grand prix entries in F1 history without recording a single podium finish.

He infamously came close on a handful of ocassions, including earlier this year at his home race in Germany, before he became one of the many victims of the run-off earlier before the final corner.

Renaut's managing director Cyril Abiteboul stated that Hulkenberg has been "instrumental" in the team's progress over the last handful of years.

“It is clear that Nico has been instrumental in our progress through F1," he said. "We needed a driver who had the experience and maturity to help us take the next step and we couldn’t have asked any more of him.

"It wasn’t an easy decision as he has many strong attributes: he’s a great driver, always motivated and looking and pushing for more, which has, in turn, spurred us on.

"We wish him every luck for the future and sincerely thank him for his huge contribution to Renault F1 Team over the past three years.”

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2023

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 - 2023

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
3 - Mar 5
Bahrain
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia
31 - Apr 2
Australia
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan
5 - May 7
United States of America
19 - May 21
Italy
26 - May 28
Monaco
2 - Jun 4
Spain
16 - Jun 18
Canada
30 - Jul 2
Austria
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom
21 - Jul 23
Hungary
28 - Jul 30
Belgium
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands
1 - Sep 3
Italy
15 - Sep 17
Singapore
22 - Sep 24
Japan
20 - Oct 22
United States of America
27 - Oct 29
Mexico
3 - Nov 5
Brazil
17 - Nov 19
United States of America
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
3 - Mar 5
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
31 - Apr 2
Australia Albert Park
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
5 - May 7
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
19 - May 21
26 - May 28
Monaco Monte Carlo
2 - Jun 4
16 - Jun 18
30 - Jul 2
Austria Red Bull Ring
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom Silverstone
21 - Jul 23
Hungary Hungaroring
28 - Jul 30
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
1 - Sep 3
Italy Monza
15 - Sep 17
22 - Sep 24
20 - Oct 22
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
27 - Oct 29
3 - Nov 5
Brazil Interlagos
17 - Nov 19
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Aston Martin
  • Points 289
  • Podiums 0
  • Grand Prix 109
  • Country DE
  • Date of b. Aug 19 1987 (35)
  • Place of b. Emmerich am Rhein, DE
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.84 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar