Nico Hülkenberg (born August 19, 1987, in Emmerich am Rhein, Germany) is a German racing driver competing in Formula One. A veteran of more than 250 Grands Prix, he drives for the Audi Revolut F1 Team and is widely regarded for his technical feedback, consistency, and versatility across multiple forms of motorsport.
In addition to his Formula One career, Hülkenberg achieved overall victory at the 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans with Porsche, becoming one of the few active Formula One drivers in the modern era to win the prestigious endurance race.
EARLY CAREER & JUNIOR SUCCESS
Hülkenberg began karting at a young age in Germany and quickly progressed through the junior ranks of European motorsport. He built a reputation for adaptability and speed, winning multiple junior single-seater titles on his way toward Formula One.
His most notable pre-F1 achievement came in 2009 when he won the GP2 Series championship in his rookie season, a result that marked him as one of the most promising prospects of his generation.
FORMULA 1 CAREER
Williams (2010)
Hülkenberg made his Formula One debut in 2010 with Williams. During his rookie season, he secured a surprise pole position at the Brazilian Grand Prix in wet conditions, demonstrating his qualifying pace and car control under difficult circumstances.
Force India, Sauber & Renault (2012-2019)
After a reserve role in 2011, Hülkenberg returned to a full-time race seat in 2012. Between 2012 and 2019, he competed for several midfield teams, including Force India, Sauber, and Renault.
During this period, he established a reputation as a fast and reliable driver capable of extracting strong results from midfield machinery. His detailed technical feedback and development input were frequently cited as key strengths.
Reserve Roles & Return with Haas (2020-2024)
Following the 2019 season, Hülkenberg served as a reserve and substitute driver, making several one-off race appearances. In 2023, he returned to a full-time Formula One seat with Haas F1 Team, where his performances reaffirmed his competitiveness and experience within the field.
In April 2024, he was announced as the first signing for Audi’s future Formula One factory effort, signaling the brand’s intention to pair proven experience with long-term development.
Sauber & Audi Revolut F1 Team (2025-)
Hülkenberg competed for Sauber in 2025 as the team transitioned toward full Audi works status. During the season, he played a central role in guiding the team’s development and strategy.
At the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, Hülkenberg secured his maiden Formula One podium, a milestone moment in a long career that underscored his persistence and competitiveness.
From 2026 onward, Hülkenberg races for the Audi Revolut F1 Team as part of Audi’s factory entry into Formula One, partnering Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto.
ENDURANCE RACING
In parallel with his Formula One commitments, Hülkenberg competed in endurance racing. In 2015, he joined Porsche’s factory program and won the 24 Hours of Le Mans overall with the Porsche 919 Hybrid. His victory made him one of the few active Formula One drivers of the era to claim overall honors at Le Mans.
DRIVING STYLE & REPUTATION
Hülkenberg is known for his smooth driving style, strong qualifying performances, and ability to provide detailed technical feedback to engineers. His experience across a wide range of teams and racing categories has made him a valuable asset in car development and race strategy.
CAREER SUMMARY
GP2 Series Champion: 2009
Formula One debut: 2010 with Williams
Formula One teams: Williams; Force India; Sauber; Renault; Haas; Sauber/Audi
24 Hours of Le Mans winner: 2015 (Porsche)
First Formula One podium: British Grand Prix (Silverstone), 2025
Audi Revolut F1 Team driver: 2026–
PHOTO GALLERY
