Nico Hulkenberg to Red Bull: Speculation is rife that Max Verstappen has asked for Nico Hulkenberg as teammate in Red Bull for 2021, in place of Alex Albon.
After AlphaTuari confirmed Frenchman Pierre Gasly for next season, the attention has turned to who will be Max Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull. With Alex Albon underperforming, and Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg seen as credible options, the rumor mill is going to spin wildly in Red Bull’s direction over the next few days. But Verstappen himself was coy when asked regarding this by Ziggo Sport:
“I don’t make the decision.”
“Of course they (Red Bull) ask for my opinion, but in the end, it doesn’t matter to me at the moment. We wait for it.”
P̶i̶e̶r̶r̶e̶ ̶G̶a̶s̶l̶y̶
Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg 🤷♂️
But it’s Alex Albon’s “seat to lose”
All the latest on Red Bull’s coveted 2021 F1 seat 👇
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) October 28, 2020
Max Verstappen has suggested Nico Hulkenberg to Red Bull?
Two credible sources, De Telegraaf and F1 Insider, are now reporting that the Dutchman has discreetly asked Helmut Marko to consider Nico Hulkenberg.
“Verstappen (is) also making a policy (pushing) for Hülkenberg internally.”
The sources have opined that because of their origin and proximity to each other, as well as the skill and technical nous Hulkenberg possesses, Max sees him as a much better option to Albon. Red Bull are in desperate need of a strong partner to Max to give competition to the ever-dominating Mercedes.
“The fact that the two get along well is partly due to Hülkenberg’s origins. His home town Emmerich is located on the Dutch border, and the German even speaks Dutch well. But more importantly, Verstappen knows that he needs support in his own camp for 2021 in the duel against the dominant Mercedes.”
Helmut Marko speaks out on the second driver situation
The man who calls the shot when it comes to driver selection in both Red Bull and AlphaTauri is Helmut Marko. When asked for his plans for the upcoming session, he stressed the importance of taking the fight to Mercedes. He also confirmed that they do indeed take Max’s opinion when it comes to team combinations.
“In 2020 it didn’t work out, but in 2021 we want to finally make the attack on Mercedes and make Max the world champion, even if he can’t become the youngest champion anymore. We also ask Max for his opinion on the driver question. We know his opinion too.
