Nico Hulkenberg and his team are emerging as a new terror in F1. Though not yet title contenders, their track defense is becoming a major concern. Especially for teams usually finishing outside the top 10. Securing P6 at the Austrian GP last weekend, Hulkenberg seems to have rekindled his career’s lantern. This is what a comeback looks like! Talking about comebacks brings to mind the names of two drivers: Nico Hulkenberg and Daniel Ricciardo.

While one managed to make an effective return, the latter’s return is a lackluster tale. In this context, Former Haas boss Guenther Steiner labeled Nico Hulkenberg as the most underrated driver on the current grid, emphasizing, “Nobody else tried to get him. Mercedes didn’t try to get him, so Red Bull didn’t try to get him.” He believes Hulkenberg’s veteran experience is often overlooked by fans and teams alike.

On the Red Flags Podcast, Steiner hinted that Ricciardo and Hulkenberg’s tenure at Renault has boosted Hulkenberg’s strong performances since 2023. They asked Guenther what he believed had caused Hulkenberg to maintain his high performance and improve. And he said: “I think the three years of Hulkenberg not racing made him better because didn’t lose his confidence.” The time Hulkenberg spent at Renault with Daniel Ricciardo, was, in fact tough. “Danny got so much hype because he won races before and (Nico) was never on the podium got to his head. And he couldn’t beat him,” Steiner further noted.

Despite all odds, Nico Hulkenberg’s F1 comeback is worth remembering. Especially now, seeing how he performs remarkably in a much slower car. On the other hand, his former teammate Daniel Ricciardo is struggling to keep up even with his own teammate. Here is a comparison between the two drivers before and after their comebacks.

Nico Hulkenberg VS Daniel Ricciardo: Before and after their F1 comebacks

Turning tables on Daniel Ricciardo, Nico seems to be in his ‘prime’ once again. This demands a simple comparison to be drawn between the two drivers. On one side is Daniel Ricciardo with 11 points so far in the 2024 season while Nico Hulkenberg has 14 points. Last year Hulkenberg had 9 points while Ricciardo had 6. While Daniel Ricciardo appears to have regressed slightly, Nico Hulkenberg’s progress continues to spike up. Back in 2020 when Hulkenberg was sent off from Renault, he was unfortunately nowhere near what Ricciardo was doing in the same car.

To a large extent, most experts and fans had expected Ricciardo to continue with the same performance after he left Renault for McLaren. But nothing of that kind happened. While Hulkenberg was on sabbatical, Ricciardo struggled to outperform the young Lando Norris. So much so, that even before his contract terminated, McLaren dismissed Daniel. He met with the same fate as his former teammate Nico. And now, when they’ve returned to the sport, Hulkenberg has his seats confirmed for 2025 with Suaber/Audi whereas, Ricciardo future remains haunted by uncertainties, which itself speaks volumes of the comparison.

The narratives of Nico Hulkenberg and Daniel Ricciardo stand as stark reminders of the unpredictable nature of racing careers. While ‘hype’ is not always the certificate for greatness, underrated individuals are the actual dark horses in the long run. Hulkenberg’s resurgence in a slower car highlights his resilience and skill. In contrast, Ricciardo has faced struggles since leaving Renault and now faces uncertainties about his future in the sport. What the two drivers can do in the upcoming British Grand Prix would be worth watching. As all hopes swarm up on both Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg, they will aim to maximize their performance and make the best out of themselves.

Do you agree with Guenther Steiner’s trail of thoughts? Let us know in the comments.