Hulkenberg not worried: 'Phase where it's a bit less'

Nico Hulkenberg is the only German driver left with a permanent place on a Formula 1 team after Sebastian Vettel's retirement and Mick Schumacher's departure from Haas F1. Despite this, the experienced driver feels little pressure and is looking towards the new season.

The enthusiasm about Formula 1 is felt across much of the world, but in his home country, with the end of the German Grand Prix it is a different story. However, Hulkenberg, who will join Haas, expects this to return in the future.

"I don't really feel any weight on my shoulders or pressure. It often goes in waves and in Germany I think we are now in a phase where it is a bit less," he analysed in conversation with Bild. He is therefore trying to focus as much as possible on his own performance.

Hulkenberg thinks the German drivers will return to the circuits by themselves. Thus, he has great confidence in Schumacher's qualities. According to Hulkenberg, he has what it takes to become successful in the motorsport class in the coming years. He thinks Schumacher's reserve role at Mercedes can help him achieve that goal.

"Just keep going," reads his advice. "It's an opportunity for him to have more time because he is not in the seat and does not have the pressure to perform at the moment. He will be able to learn a lot at Mercedes from one of the best drivers there has ever been (Lewis Hamilton, ed.). That's valuable experience he can gain there and use for himself."