Hulkenberg: Crazy race could offer a podium finish

  • Published on 13 Feb 2019 10:15
  • comments 2
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Nico Hulkenberg says a Grand Prix Sunday that features a "crazy" race or "favourable conditions" in 2019 could see him step onto the podium for the first time in his Formula 1 career.

Hulkenberg is yet to achieve top three success but has taken a pole position, which came in his maiden season. On Tuesday, Renault launched its new car, the R.S. 19 at its factory in Enstone, with Hulkenberg and new teammate Daniel Ricciardo in attendance.

Renault is hoping to close the gap to the top teams this year, which will be its fourth season since it took over the Lotus team in 2016. Hulkenberg admits its impossible to know what sort of pace Renault has this early but believes it could achieve its first podium since its return this year.

"Kind of still a lot of questions about it," the German said. "I mean now obviously it’s condensed because we’re here today, so much media. But I understand why, it’s fine.

"Obviously I do want to be on there one day you know and we’re working on it, I’m working on it. So is it going to happen this year, if it’s possible, it’s impossible to say right now," Hulkenberg added.

"But as a race driver you always push for the best possible and hopefully if we are closer to the top three this year maybe on a given Sunday with a crazy race or favourable conditions it can happen. But I think we’ve just got to make sure that we are ready when the opportunity presents itself."

Last year, Renault ended the championship in fourth place, beating Haas to the 'best of the rest' spot. However, it was 297 points of Red Bull who finished the season one spot ahead of the French manufacturer.

Replies (2)

Login to reply
  • blade

    Posts: 341

    Im not sure he consistently maximises his car to benefit from a crazy race - tbf to him, he's recognised he now has a class act in the team to compare himself too - so if he manages to stay ahead RIC he will do his reputation no end of good. Big ask, but good luck to him.

    • + 0
    • Feb 13 2019 - 11:00
    • boudy

      Posts: 1,168

      Agree. It's amazing to think that he has never been able to get to an podium. Staying ahead of Ricciardo will be though however if Ricciardo doesn't it will truly show how good he is. If he beats Ricciardo than there will be interest from bigger teams. Great opportunity for Hulkenberg.

      • + 0
      • Feb 13 2019 - 11:54

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 07:48

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 07:48

World Championship standings 2024

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 - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2 2024
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia
5 - Apr 7 2024
Japan
19 - Apr 21 2024
China
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America
17 - May 19 2024
Italy
24 - May 26 2024
Monaco
7 - Jun 9 2024
Canada
21 - Jun 23 2024
Spain
28 - Jun 30 2024
Austria
5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21 2024
Hungary
26 - Jul 28 2024
Belgium
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22 2024
Singapore
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America
25 - Oct 27 2024
Mexico
1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil
22 - Nov 24 2024
United States of America
29 - Dec 1 2024
Qatar
6 - Dec 8 2024
United Arab Emirates
-
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2 2024
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7 2024
19 - Apr 21 2024
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19 2024
24 - May 26 2024
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9 2024
21 - Jun 23 2024
28 - Jun 30 2024
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21 2024
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28 2024
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22 2024
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27 2024
1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24 2024
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1 2024
6 - Dec 8 2024
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
-
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Visa Cash App RB
  • Points 1,061
  • Podiums 24
  • Grand Prix 188
  • Country AU
  • Date of b. Jul 1 1989 (35)
  • Place of b. Perth, AU
  • Weight 64 kg
  • Length 1.75 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar