Nico Hulkenberg: There “could have been more success” in F1 career

Nico Hulkenberg has said that there “could have been more success” in his Formula 1 career but that it could have been worse too as he admits there are “certain things” he regrets.

Hulkenberg made his F1 debut with Williams in 2010 before moving to Force India in 2011 before a stint with Sauber in 2013, returning to his previous team until the end of 2016.
 
Since 2017 the German has been at Renault but will be replaced by Esteban Ocon in 2020, leaving him without a seat.
 
Of his 174 race career he hasn’t managed to finish on the podium having had good chances to but knows that his time in F1 could have been different.
 
“Of course I do, about certain things, certain decisions, certain situations,” he told France’s Auto Hebdo.

“But it’s part of life as well.

“At the end of the day, I’ve been here for 10 years. Ten cool and intense seasons.

“There could have been more success, but it could have been worse too.”

One of Hulkenbergs best chances for a  podium finish and potential race win was back in Brazil 2012 when he tried to pass Lewis Hamilton.

“The manoeuvre went wrong, but I will not self-flagellate for 100 years,” he added.

“If you don’t try to overtake when you can, you should change jobs.

“Of course there is sometimes frustration, even bitterness, but I personally sleep very well at night.”

Cyril Abiteboul, Hulkenberg’s Renault team principal, said that the German’s failure to make to most of certain opportunities was one of the reasons he was being replaced.

“I don’t agree with Cyril, a few mistakes, a bad career choice, and you quickly find yourself in a situation like mine,” said Hulkenberg.

“It’s all about details in F1.”