Palmer understands Haas decision: 'A true professional'

The official announcement is still not there, but the news is actually known: Nico Hulkenberg will get the last free seat for 2023. The experienced German (35) will replace Mick Schumacher at Haas next year.

Schumacher is a talent, but very volatile in his performance. That is the main reason for Haas to choose for an experienced driver (again). Hulkenberg does not do weird things, knows what is expected of him and regularly finishes in the points. With the also experienced Kevin Magnussen, Haas will soon have a duo that should be able to take the team further forward on the grid.

Although Hulkenberg was sidelined for several years - he was a reserve driver at Aston Martin - no one in the paddock has any doubts that the German has not lost his speed. All in all, he is seen as a good choice for Haas, for example by his former teammate Jolyon Palmer.

Palmer was Hulkenberg's teammate at Renault in 2017. The Briton soon realised he had no chance against the German and even rates him higher than Magnussen. Palmer worked with the Dane a year earlier. "Then I saw how Nico works. He is not only hugely talented, but also a hard worker. He was super fast and sat endlessly with the mechanics. When I saw him, I thought, 'That's a real craftsman!' I had never experienced that before," Palmer told Bild.