Source: REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger
[Saba Sports News] Although Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko has almost ruled out the possibility of signing Nico Hulkenberg, citing his long-term contract with Sauber, former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher has strongly supported the German veteran, believing he can play a great role alongside Max Verstappen. Ralf Schumacher pointed out that Hulkenberg is not only technically stable but also more mature in mindset. As a 37-year-old father, he handles the race more calmly and rationally. Moreover, Hülkenberg and Verstappen have compatible personalities. If they were to partner, they would form a stable and competitive driver combination. Looking back at 2020, when Hulkenberg made a temporary return, he performed exceptionally well and even had a chance to join Red Bull as a driver. However, after Sergio Perez won the Bahrain Grand Prix, Red Bull ultimately chose Perez. In recent years, Hulkenberg has been stable at Haas and Sauber, earning him the label of “second spring.” This year, he has already scored 20 points for Sauber, far exceeding the combined total of other drivers in the team. In contrast, Yuki Tsunoda, who is currently Red Bull’s second driver, has only earned 7 points in 8 races, falling short of expectations.