Nico Hulkenberg Echoes Ayao Komatsu’s Words as German Confronts “Bitter” Reality of Moving to Audi

Nico Hulkenberg is a serial podium-misser. In his 14-year F1 career, the German driver only had three P4s, which was his best result. Even if we discount 2020, where he didn’t have a permanent seat, and 2021-22 when he was Aston Martin’s reserve driver, fate isn’t his fan. Moreover, departing Haas to join Sauber (to be Audi in 2026) in 2025 is only a step back. Though Hulkenberg’s stint with the American team hasn’t ended yet, Haas boss Ayao Komatsu has a very conflicting verdict on him.

In an interview with AMuS, Komatsu unabashedly rated Hulkenberg. The Haas boss gave his opinion on the German championship-winning ability, saying, “Nico is a great driver. But I wouldn’t talk about the World Championship title. He doesn’t even have a podium to his name yet.” Wow! Komatsu threw all PR training out of the window here. However, he explained that his intention wasn’t to “belittle” his departing driver. “I love working with him,” the Japanese added, emphasizing, “I will definitely miss Nico.”

Similarly, though Hulkenberg is fully invested in Audi’s vision, he feels upset leaving Haas. “It always feels bitter,” he told Motorsport-Total, about leaving the team that has propelled him to reach his prime. “Most of the time, it feels bittersweet when you leave a team, because you build relationships. In most cases, you enjoy working with the people,” he added, saying he had “a good time” at Haas.

Hulkenberg’s F1 story is a weird one. He’s probably the most ubiquitous driver on the grid, who somehow kept extending his career without securing a single podium. The 36-year-old also holds the record for most races without a podium – 217. With the statistics producing a deafening silence, not everybody feels he still deserves an F1 seat.

Nico Hulkenberg urged to hang up his boots: “His time has passed”

Including his 2010 F1 debut with Williams, Nico Hulkenberg has driven for 5 teams. The Audi-bound driver has amassed 552 points to date. But if that seems impressive, Max Verstappen, in contrast, scored 575 points in only 1 year – 2023. Yes, there are many variables to be accounted for, including the Dutchman’s super-dominant RB19, but this is just one example.

Dutch racer Tom Coronel reckons Hulkenberg should’ve been long gone from F1. “I’ve said before about Hulkenberg that he shouldn’t be racing in Formula 1 for a long time,” he wrote for Formule1.nl. “But I’ve seen him do things in the past six months that make me think: Why didn’t you do that when you were in a good car?” he added, referring to the Haas driver’s sensational success in qualifying in the past year and his two P6 finishes in Austria and Silverstone.

“I still think he’s had his time, especially after twenty chances. I also don’t know anyone who has had as many opportunities as he has,” he added. Though Coronel still puts Hulkenberg in his “top five”, the 2x Touring Car champion cannot stop himself from admitting that Hulkenberg’s “time has passed.”

2025 will not be an easy year for the German driver. Sauber is dead last in the standings with 0 points to their name this year. It will take a miracle for them to even gun for P9 in the championship, let alone the midfield. But in 2026, Audi brings promise, having already signed Mattia Binotto and Jonathan Wheatley. Will Hulkenberg finally end his podium drought when the time comes?