F1: Nico Hulkenberg Joins Renault Sport; Switches From Force India
Sameer Contractor
1 min read
Oct 17, 2016, 05:27 PM
Key Highlights
- Hulkenberg will be the new lead driver for Renault starting next season
- Hulkenberg was initially to continue with Force India till September 2017
- Renault is yet to decide who will join Hulkenberg in the pits as teammate
Nico Hulkenberg has moved to Renault Sport Formula 1 team on a multi-year deal starting next season. The German driver currently represents Sahara Force India on the grid and the switch was speculated for a while, more so, since the team confirmed Sergio Perez will be continuing with them for the next season. That said, Hulkenberg will continue to work with Force India for the remaining races of this season.
Having spent five years with Force India over two stints, Nico Hulkenberg served the team back in 2011 to 2012, and later from 2014 to 2016. The year 2013 saw the German move to a Sauber for a single season. Hulkenberg has originally signed the contract to stay with Force India until the end of September 2017, but Renault was quite persuasive in hiring him as the lead driver for the next season.
Speaking of his move to Renault, Hulkenberg said, "I’m very happy to join Renault Sport Formula One Team in 2017. Renault has always been a big player in the motorsport world that brings up incredible memories: in his stint with Renault, Michael Schumacher not only helped make Germany an F1 nation, he also sparked my enthusiasm and fire for racing. As a part of the Renault family, I want to develop the car and write new success stories."
With Hulkenberg confirmed as Renault's lead driver for 2017, it is still not clear as to who will be joining him alongside on the grid. The French team's current drivers Jolyon Palmer and Kevin Magnussen remain in contention, while rumour has it that the team is also considering Manor Racing's Esteban Ocon. Renault is yet to officially announce on a name.
As for for the current season, Nico Hulkenberg stands ninth in the overall driver standings with 54 points, 26 points behind teammate Sergio Perez. The 29-year-old will be looking to save the fourth place for Force India in the 2016 constructors' standings.
Having spent five years with Force India over two stints, Nico Hulkenberg served the team back in 2011 to 2012, and later from 2014 to 2016. The year 2013 saw the German move to a Sauber for a single season. Hulkenberg has originally signed the contract to stay with Force India until the end of September 2017, but Renault was quite persuasive in hiring him as the lead driver for the next season.
Nico Hulkenberg Sahara Force India
Speaking of his move to Renault, Hulkenberg said, "I’m very happy to join Renault Sport Formula One Team in 2017. Renault has always been a big player in the motorsport world that brings up incredible memories: in his stint with Renault, Michael Schumacher not only helped make Germany an F1 nation, he also sparked my enthusiasm and fire for racing. As a part of the Renault family, I want to develop the car and write new success stories."
With Hulkenberg confirmed as Renault's lead driver for 2017, it is still not clear as to who will be joining him alongside on the grid. The French team's current drivers Jolyon Palmer and Kevin Magnussen remain in contention, while rumour has it that the team is also considering Manor Racing's Esteban Ocon. Renault is yet to officially announce on a name.
As for for the current season, Nico Hulkenberg stands ninth in the overall driver standings with 54 points, 26 points behind teammate Sergio Perez. The 29-year-old will be looking to save the fourth place for Force India in the 2016 constructors' standings.
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