Formula 1 stalwart and Mercedes Team Principal Ross Brawn has revealed that Nico Hulkenberg narrowly lost out on a seat with the German marque to Lewis Hamilton in 2013.
The Brackley-based squad was preparing for its fourth season back in F1 as works team without Michael Schumacher, who opted for a second retirement at the end of 2012.
With Nico Rosberg nailed on for a further season, the team was left searching for options as to who would take the second seat.
With non-executive chairman Niki Lauda attempting to lure Hamilton from McLaren – the team with which he had progressed from junior ranks to F1 title glory – Brawn sought contingenices.
Hulkenberg has contested 2012 with Force India, having been without a drive in 2011, despite an impressive debut campaign with Williams the season previously.
The German scored 11 points finishes in 20 races, and with the team backed by Mercedes power, he became a natural option.
“When I was at Mercedes, we almost employed Nico because we didn’t know what the situation was with Lewis for 2013,” Brawn revealed to the official F1 website.
“We were having a challenging time closing that [Hamilton] deal and Nico was on standby. He behaved in a very mature way during those discussions.
“I made it as transparent as possible what the situation was, that there was a chance [of a Mercedes deal], but it depended on what Lewis decided to do in the end.
“When Lewis did sign with us, we managed to sort things out with Nico that we couldn’t go ahead.
“But I was quite looking forward to working with him because I think he’s a great driver.”
Nico Hulkenberg podium at Silverstone ‘lovely to see’ – Brawn
It was, in effect, a ‘sliding doors’ moment for Hulkenberg, has he continued to race for predominantly midfield outfits, choosing Sauber for 2013.
The 38-year-old’s talent has never been doubt, but his luck certainly has, as he incredulously went without a podium finish throughout his career, until the British Grand Prix last year, when he took third with Sauber.
Brawn revealed that he was thrilled to see the veteran, who will now lead the new Audi squad – taking over the Sauber entry – finally stand on the podium.
“He’s very, very mature and very balanced. He’s had a great career,” he said.
“It’s hard to imagine that Silverstone was his first podium after so long and after some great performances and great drives.
“That outcome was lovely to see and I was particularly pleased given that I know him fairly well.
“It was a good result for the season.”
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