Red Bull’s advisor Helmut Marko has revealed that Nico Hulkenberg came close to joining its Formula 1 ranks in 2021, but opted to sign Sergio Perez.
The German veteran, who made his F1 debut in 2010, was on the Milton Keynes-based squad’s list of potential candidates to drive alongside Max Verstappen, with Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon struggling to make an impression over the previous two seasons.
At the time, Hulkenberg had just completed the first of three years away from F1 full-time, but made two appearances for Racing Point in the Covid-hit 2020 campaign, the first in place of an unwell Perez at Silverstone.
Hulkenberg made an impressive showing in the race, finishing seventh after qualifying third. He followed this up in the Eifel Grand Prix later that year, finishing eighth after having taken the place of Lance Stroll, who, like Perez, tested positive for the virus prior to the race.
The performances caught the eye of Red Bull, but Perez’s first-ever F1 win at the Sakhir Grand Prix proved to be a pivotal moment, leading the team to chase the Mexican’s signature.
“Maybe it’s a good thing that he [Hulkenberg] didn’t get the seat next to Max anyway,” Marko explained to Sky Deutschland.
“He was in discussions. Then Perez won the race in Bahrain, which was just in the decision-making phase and then tipped the scales.”
Hulkenberg shouldn’t ‘give up’ Audi seat
With Yuki Tsunoda the second driver to struggle with the team’s RB21 challenger this year – the Japanese having replaced Liam Lawson after two races – many have speculated as to where Red Bull may look to next.
As well as potential options in its ranks, notably Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar – who has impressed so far this season – Valtteri Bottas intimated he would be keen, theorising that the RB21 “needs a driver with experience.”
Hulkenberg’s name will be out of the frame on this occasion, having made a commitment to Audi’s in-house F1 project, which commences next year amid a period of transition from Sauber, for which he currently races.
And Marko believes that is the right place for the 37-year-old to spend the remainder of his career.
“I have to say, he did very well after his unexpected comeback,” he said.
“He has a long-term contract with Sauber/Audi. That’s something I wouldn’t give up either.”
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