Nico Hulkenberg to make full-time racing return to Formula 1 with Haas in 2023

Nico Hulkenberg will make a full-time racing return to Formula 1 with Haas in 2023, replacing Mick Schumacher.

The German, 35, left F1 at the end of 2019 but subsequently made five substitute appearances for Racing Point and Aston Martin, most recently standing in for Sebastian Vettel for the first two races of this year.

He has amassed 181 Grand Prix starts – driving for Williams, Force India, Sauber, Renault, Racing Point and Aston Martin – and played the role of reserve driver for Aston Martin for the last two seasons.

READ MORE: Schumacher and Haas to part ways at the end of 2022

Hulkenberg has scored 521 points, with a career-high finish of fourth – plus one pole position, achieved at the Brazilian Grand Prix in his rookie season in 2010 with Williams.

“I’m naturally very pleased to be welcoming Nico Hulkenberg back to a full-time racing role in Formula 1,” said Haas boss Guenther Steiner.

“The experience and knowledge base Nico brings to the team is clear to see – with nearly 200 career starts in Formula 1 – and a reputation as being a great qualifier and a solid, reliable racer. These are attributes, which when you pair them together with Kevin Magnussen’s experience, gives us a very credible and well-seasoned driver line-up which we believe will help push the team onwards up the grid.

“That’s obviously the goal and it was that ambition that has prompted Nico’s return to Formula 1 – he shares our vision and can be a key player, together with the rest of the team, in building on the foundations we’ve laid this year with our return to the points battle.”

Hulkenberg added: “I’m very happy to move into a full-time race seat with Haas F1 Team in 2023. I feel like I never really left Formula 1. I’m excited to have the opportunity to do what I love the most again and want to thank Gene Haas and Guenther Steiner for their trust.

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“We have work ahead of us to be able to compete with all the other teams in the midfield, and I cannot wait to join that battle again.”

Hulkenberg will begin work for Haas on Tuesday after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, driving this year’s car as part of the Pirelli test, with reserve driver Pietro Fittipaldi fulfilling young driver duties in a second car.