Why Verstappen never got Hulkenberg as a teammate at Red Bull

15:30, 19 Aug

byLudo van Denderen

Nico Hukenberg came close to becoming Max Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull Racing, but a last-minute decision from Helmut Marko, the man in charge of driver selection for both Red Bull teams, changed the course of events.

During the 2020 season, it became clear that Alexander Albon would not be retained alongside Verstappen. Red Bull began looking externally for a replacement and identified Hulkenberg, who was effectively retired from Formula 1. Reflecting on that period, Helmut Marko admitted there had indeed been discussions with the German.

"At that time he [Hulkenberg] was, I think, a co-commentator at Servus TV, so there was already a relationship there,” the advisor says, referring to the fact that Servus TV is part of the Red Bull group. "And there were the beginnings of talks, but then Perez won that race in Bahrain, I think, and because of that, everything turned in Perez’s direction,” Marko said.

Hulkenberg only secured his first podium this year

Perez outperformed Hulkenberg

Sergio Perez’s shock victory at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix with Racing Point came at a crucial moment. With his seat at the 'pink team' set to disappear the following year, Red Bull was the only option left for 2021, and that’s the seat he ultimately secured.

That decision left no room for Nico Hülkenberg, something Helmut Marko admits he looks back on with a hint of regret.

“I think it would have been a really nice time, because the two get along very well, and yes, Hulkenberg is a safe bank for points, and in our car it would also have been top positions.”