As the 2024 Formula 1 season heads into the summer break, Nico Hulkenberg of Haas F1 Team has emerged as a standout performer.
Across the first 13 rounds where both drivers finished, Hulkenberg has only been outpaced by his teammate Kevin Magnussen twice—once in the opening race in Bahrain and again in the most recent race in Belgium. Hulkenberg’s dominance in qualifying is equally noteworthy, leading 11-3 against Magnussen.
Reflecting on the season so far, Hulkenberg credits the team’s progress to incremental improvements throughout the year. “The small steps during the year were important,” Hulkenberg explained.
“But already the starting point where we started the season was much better and much healthier than last year. That just goes back to changes we did at the end of last year and the restructuring that meant we put a much more competitive package on the road.”
Photo Credit: Moneygram Haas F1 Team
Hulkenberg’s performance has been remarkably consistent, particularly in the midfield. Between the second round in Jeddah and the tenth round in Spain, he maintained a steady finishing record: tenth, ninth, eleventh, tenth, and eleventh place finishes, with only one retirement.
When asked if the team felt different compared to last year, Hulkenberg noted that the team atmosphere has remained largely the same, despite changes in leadership.
“The team feels the same,” he said. “The main man is different and has a different style of managing, but if you have a competitive package that allows you to compete for points, it’s just a better and happier environment.”
The German driver highlighted the transformation the team underwent over the winter as a key factor in their success.
“It goes back to the aerodynamic package and platform,” he stated. “That’s where we made the biggest changes and improvements over the winter. It just allowed us to be consistent and to deliver.”
Hulkenberg’s confidence in the team’s progress extends beyond the 2024 season. He believes that the same principles that led to Haas’s improvement can apply to any team.
“Hard work and good decisions, they pay off,” Hulkenberg emphasized. “That can happen at any team. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but I remain positive regardless.”
