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Unlucky F1 Driver’s Close Call With Becoming Verstappen’s Teammate Before Perez

Somin Bhattacharjee
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Unlucky F1 Driver’s Close Call With Becoming Verstappen’s Teammate Before Perez

Sergio Perez became a Red Bull driver in 2021 when the Milton-Keynes-based team parted ways with Alex Albon. However, there was another F1 driver who was close to trumping Perez in becoming Max Verstappen’s teammate, and that is none other than Nico Hulkenberg.

Hulkenberg’s career, seen by many as unlucky, has never seen him standing on the F1 podium. He never drove for a team capable of challenging for the top three consistently, but had he joined Red Bull in 2021, that would likely have changed.

As reported by Racing News 365, Hulkenberg revealed he did speak to Red Bull about joining them in 2020. But, after Perez’s memorable last-to-first victory at the Sakhir GP that year, Red Bull “couldn’t ignore” the Mexican driver.

Talking about missing out on a chance to be Verstappen’s teammate, Hulkenberg said, “It would obviously be interesting to be a Red Bull driver next to Max. That’s also the ultimate challenge. Max is probably the fastest driver we’ve had in decades. It’s obviously very tough to be his teammate.”

Perez, meanwhile, went on to play a crucial role in helping Verstappen win his first title in 2021. After that, however, things were never quite the same for him.

Perez and Hulkenberg post-2021

Hulkenberg was not a part of the F1 grid in 2020. He was a reserve driver for Team Silverstone (previously known as Racing Point and then Aston Martin). He stayed with the team till 2022, after which Haas offered him a way back into the grid.

But once again, Hulkenberg joined a backmarker, with who he has been putting in exceptional results, but still continues to elude silverware.

Perez, on the other hand, has been in Verstappen’s shadow for far too long. He was completely outperformed by the 26-year-old in 2022 and 2023, which put him under pressure heading into the current campaign.

However, Perez’s form this year has been even more woeful than before, putting him on the brink of a Red Bull exit. Briefly, Hulkenberg was linked to a Red Bull seat earlier this season too. But, the German driver will join Sauber instead, who will become Audi in 2026.

Post Edited By:Aishwary Gaonkar

About the author

Somin Bhattacharjee

Somin Bhattacharjee

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Basketball Editor Somin Bhattacharjee first discovered the game during the 2014 FIBA World Cup. Not long after, he turned to the NBA and found himself drawn to the Golden State Warriors — right at the start of Stephen Curry’s rise. Over time, the admiration turned into full-blown support for the team, one that continues even as the Curry era approaches its twilight. A true hoophead, Somin also follows EuroLeague basketball closely and enjoys exploring the game beyond the NBA. Though holding a bachelor's degree in marketing, Somin discovered his true calling in writing. Since 2021, he has penned over 3,000 articles for TheSportsRush, covering everything from breaking news to sharp opinion pieces and detailed exclusives. He thrives on writing about in-game moments and the reactions that make basketball a uniquely emotional sport. Beyond basketball, Somin plays different sports including soccer and remains a passionate fan of Spanish football giants Real Madrid

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