The Miami GP saw tweaks introduced by the FIA to address drivers’ concerns relating to qualifying, racing and overall safety, but despite the F1 President Stefano Domenicali hailing the race as “truly wonderful,” drivers such as Max Verstappen remain unconvinced. Further changes have also been announced for 2027, which will see the 50:50 split between internal combustion and electrical move closer to 60:40 in favour of the former.

Veteran driver Hülkenberg, however, has spoken up in favour of the new regulations, arguing the opening races have been “good to watch” and that he understands F1’s move to electrification in order to “go with the times.” Hulkenberg’s team, Audi, are understood to have been lured to F1 over the sport’s increasing shift towards electrification and sustainability.

Speaking to The Drive, Hülkenberg said: “To be honest, it’s always been like that in F1, hasn’t it? F1 is about leading in technology, and you have to go with the times. If you look at the automotive industry 5 years ago, 10 years ago, it’s different now; it has changed.

While figures such as FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem are already raising the idea of a return to V8 engines in 2031, Hülkenberg understands why F1 has moved in the direction of sustainability.

He added: “F1 is evolving all the time. Obviously, you have these purists that love the old school and the sound of a naturally aspirated V10 and V12 - including myself! - but the reality is that it doesn’t work like that.

Meanwhile, Audi’s new racing director, Allan McNish, took charge of his first Grand Prix for the German team in Miami, and despite a poor weekend - with Gabriel Bortoleto finishing P12 and Hülkenberg failing to start the race - the three-time Le Mans winner told media, including GPblog, how much he enjoyed the experience.

He said: “It was good, look, I've lived to race all my life since I was 11 years old, it's what I love, it's what gets me up in the morning, it's what's my passion, but when I say I live to race, I don't go home happy unless we've won. I know that that's not always the case because in racing in your career you lose more than you win.