Why Haas's faith in Hulkenberg has been vindicated

OPINION: Only three races into the 2023 Formula 1 season and the questions around Haas selecting Nico Hulkenberg to replace Mick Schumacher have already been silenced. It provides justification for the call and continues Haas on its recovery path after a lean period, while also benefitting the German's own unfinished business in grand prix racing

Jake Boxall-Legge Apr 11, 2023, 9:07 AM

Had Formula 1's stewarding team taken a slightly different approach to ordering the field after the controversial and final Melbourne safety car, Nico Hulkenberg's 184-race streak without a podium could have come to an end.

That Haas appealed the results, on the grounds that the order for the 2022 British Grand Prix's red-flagged start was set at the second safety car line ahead of the first corner, was unsurprising given the team is also without a podium finish in the 147 races it has entered. Regardless, crossing the line in seventh was an excellent result for Hulkenberg, who has apparently lost none of his guile and determination from his first stints in F1. Even after three years having to be content with occasional substitute appearances, the German looked to be a shrewd move from Haas's management heading into 2023.

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Author Jake Boxall-Legge

Jake Boxall-Legge Autosport’s Technical Editor. Having studied Automotive Engineering with Motorsport at the University of Hertfordshire, West Country-born Jake's original ambition was to design racing cars. During a year between studies in which he accidentally rekindled a love of writing, he took up a Master's in Motorsport Engineering at Oxford Brookes. Halfway through his master's year, he was offered a place on the Autosport Academy, conducting occasional freelance duties before becoming the press officer for Formula 2 and GP3 in 2018. Autosport offered him a return to the fold later that year to serve as its Technical Editor. His voice appears on a number of videos and podcasts, and can often be found writing about terrible Formula 1 cars in excruciating detail. In his spare time, Jake enjoys baking and blames his failure to make it past the Great British Bake-Off interviews on his tenuous grasp on choux pastry. His dream is to open a brunch cafe - and his willingness to make outrageous puns in inappropriate situations has earned him the contempt of his colleagues.