F1 News: Nico Hulkenberg Urged To Make Big Move - 'Haas Doesn't Look To Future'

Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher has urged Nico Hulkenberg to look away from the Haas team.

Nov 15, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Haas F1 driver Nico Hulkenberg of Germany during media / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher has recommended that Nico Hulkenberg consider alternatives to his current position at the Haas F1 team. Despite the German driver's notable achievements in the early stages of the 2024 F1 season, Schumacher expresses doubt over the team's forward-looking strategies.

Key Takeaways:

• Hulkenberg has delivered standout performances in the initial 2024 F1 races, securing points in two of them.
• There's speculation about Audi's interest in Hulkenberg for their upcoming F1 venture, as they take over from Sauber in 2026.
• Schumacher critiques Haas' vision and investment strategy, suggesting they may not align with Hulkenberg's career prospects.

Nov 17, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Moneygram Haas F1 driver Nico Hulkenberg (27) of Germany / Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports

Returning to the sport after a hiatus, Hulkenberg has quickly made his mark with Haas, contributing to the team's positive trajectory in the 2024 season. This uplift comes under Ayao Komatsu's stewardship, contrasting sharply with the team's struggle at the bottom of the constructors' table the previous year.

The resurgence of Hulkenberg has not gone unnoticed, drawing attention from the likes of Audi. The automotive giant, poised to rebrand Sauber's F1 operations by 2026, is rumoured to view Hulkenberg as a key figure in their ambitious entry into the sport, emphasising the appeal of a seasoned German driver.

However, Ralf Schumacher's insights cast doubts over Hulkenberg's prospects at Haas. In a conversation with Sky, Schumacher expressed scepticism about Haas' commitment to long-term growth, citing a disconnect between the team's current trajectory and its investment strategies. This sentiment is partly rooted in Schumacher's own experiences with Haas, particularly the contentious departure of his nephew, Mick Schumacher, under the management of former team principal Guenther Steiner. Schumacher commented to Sky:

“No, certainly not.

“Haas is certainly a great team and everything will get better there, but the structure doesn’t look to the future.

“Investments are pending but are not being made because [team owner] Gene Haas has other ideas.

“It's a nice, small team for newcomers like Oliver Bearman."

Steiner's shift from rookies like Mick Schumacher to experienced drivers like Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen was a pivotal change in the team's strategy.