autoevolution
 

Nico Hulkenberg Confirms Switch to Renault F1 for 2017 Season

With Mercedes AMG Petronas clinching the constructors’ title for 2016, all that’s left of this Formula 1 season is to see if Rosberg can keep its edge ahead of Hamilton and snatch the drivers’ title. That and to see how the field evolves for 2017.
Nico Hulkenberg Renault switch 11 photos
Photo: Nico Hulkenberg on Facebook
Nico HulkenbergNico HulkenbergNico HulkenbergNico HulkenbergNico HulkenbergNico HulkenbergNico HulkenbergNico HulkenbergNico HulkenbergNico Hulkenberg Renault switch
As you might have heard by now, the biggest surprise of 2017 is that Jenson Button will take a sabbatical from the big circus, thus leaving the door open for Stoffel Vandoorne. This isn’t the only surprise in store for next year, though. Force India's The Hulk announced he’s switching over to Renault.

The 29-year-old German professional racing driver tells that he’s happy to join Renault, alluding to the automaker’s F1 pedigree. “In his stint with Renault, Michael Schumacher not only helped make Germany an F1 nation.” That’s fine and all, but the change of team might not develop as Nico expects it to do.

After buying the now-defunct Lotus Renault GP for £1 (yup, one pound sterling), the Renault Sport F1 Team has failed to impress on the track. With four races left in the calendar, Renault ranks ninth in the Constructors’ Championship, with 8 points to its name. That’s third from last, mind you.

This performance spells trouble for Renault, which still has a long way to go with developing its hybrid power unit, aero, and chassis. All is not lost, though. Renault’s second season since it returned to Formula 1 as a manufacturer will see the series go through a couple of changes. Not only will the tires get a helluva lot fatter, but the aerodynamic gains will see the single-seaters finish a lap three to five seconds faster than they do these days.

“F1’s new regulations will change the game and give our team a good opportunity,” believes the German driver. With 344 career points to his name out of 111 starts but no wins or podiums, Hulkenberg still has a lot to prove in the king motorsport. Fingers crossed Lady Luck will smile upon him.

If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories