Nico Hülkenberg

Nico Hülkenberg Nico Hülkenberg is a German Formula 1 veteran, born in 1987 and racing under number 27. In 2026 he is part of Audi’s works entry and sits 15th in the standings on 7 points.

Early rise

Hülkenberg arrived in Formula 1 with one of the most complete junior records of his generation. He won the 2006–07 A1GP title with Team Germany, took the Formula 3 Euro Series crown in 2008, then secured the 2009 GP2 Series championship at his first attempt.

Williams and the first impression

Williams handed Hülkenberg his F1 debut in 2010. The highlight came at Interlagos, where he took a stunning pole position for the Brazilian Grand Prix in changeable conditions, a reminder of his qualifying touch that would become a theme of his career. He finished his rookie season 14th in the championship with 22 points, before moving out of a race seat for 2011.

Midfield mainstay

Hülkenberg returned to the grid with Force India in 2012 and finished 11th in the standings on 63 points. He switched to Sauber in 2013 and placed 10th with 51 points, then rejoined Force India for a three‑year run from 2014 to 2016 that produced consistent midfield returns: 9th in 2014 with 96 points, 10th in 2015 with 58, and 9th in 2016 on 72.

Renault years and a step away

Renault signed Hülkenberg for 2017. He delivered his best championship finish in 2018, seventh overall with 69 points, sandwiched by 10th in 2017 on 43 points and 14th in 2019 with 37. At the end of 2019 he lost his full‑time drive, but stayed close to the paddock and returned as a high‑performing stand‑in: in 2020 he scored 10 points from limited outings, while in 2022 he answered an early‑season call‑up but finished without points, classified 22nd.

Return to the grid and Audi move

Hülkenberg rejoined the grid full‑time in 2023 and scored 9 points, placing 16th. He built on that in 2024 with 41 points and 11th in the standings, then repeated 11th in 2025 with 51 points, matching his 2013 total. He reaffirmed a known strength on Saturdays, regularly delivering laps in qualifying that set up points on Sundays.

Audi selected Hülkenberg to help lead its works Formula 1 programme from its 2026 debut. As of October 2026 he has 7 points and sits 15th.

Beyond Formula 1

Outside grand prix racing, Hülkenberg achieved one of the sport’s great endurance feats by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2015 with Porsche, sharing the car with Earl Bamber and Nick Tandy.

Record and outlook

Hülkenberg’s Formula 1 record stretches over a decade and a half without a victory, yet with numerous seasons in or around the top ten of the standings when opportunities arose. His best F1 championship finish remains seventh in 2018, and his highest points total came in 2014 with 96. The 2010 Brazilian Grand Prix pole remains a career touchstone and a measure of the speed that kept teams returning to him.

Nico Hülkenberg is 39 years old, was born in Emmerich am Rhein, Germany and first entered Formula 1 in 2010. The German driver races for Audi under number 27.