Hulkenberg Proud to Still be in F1 Amid Pay Driver Threat

Renault driver Nico Hulkenberg has said that he is proud to have “survived” for nearly a decade in F1. All this is inspite of the growing threat posed by the increasing number of pay drivers.

The German is highly regarded for his speed but has yet to take a podium in F1. Fortunately, Renault are showing encouraging signs of progress ahead of the arrival of Daniel Ricciardo in 2019. So, Hulkenberg has the best chance of getting that monkey off his back.

Reflecting on his career, Hulkenberg admitted that he still wants to achieve more in F1. But he said that he was happy with the knowledge of having stayed so long without major backers behind him.

“In a way that is an achievement,” he said. “To still be here and have survived, I think it does say something about me and the driver I am.

“At the same time that sounds a bit sh*t also. And boring, you know? I want more.

“But we know that you need to have the right timing, you need to be in the right car in the right moment. That’s why I am here now. My career is not done.

“I have a very good team partner with Renault now, and obviously we have a target together and a vision, that we’re fighting hard for and working for.”

According to him, the only time there was a risk of losing his F1 spot was at the end of 2010. That was when Williams dropped him in favour of the well-supported Pastor Maldonado.

“One time, obviously at the end of 2010, that was the most dangerous and severe time, let’s say, after my first year and when Williams didn’t keep me on,” he said.

“Since then, there were teams out there valuing talent over money – which was good for me.”

“Maybe yes, in a way. I never had the help of money in the background or, you know, it could be the cherry on the top a little bit, whereas some others had that to offer.

“But like I said, I had to do it through performance and convince that way.”