In an unusual turn of events during the F1 2025 Bahrain testing, Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg reportedly experienced a bizarre eye injury. The incident, which occurred on the first day of testing, happened while routine work was being carried out on his car.
Hulkenberg, who recently made a switch from rival team Haas to rejoin Sauber, was preparing for his first season with the team since 2013. On the day of the incident, the German driver had completed 55 laps in the morning session before his teammate, Gabriel Bortoleto, took over for the afternoon and evening rounds.
As part of the day’s schedule, Hulkenberg was slated to join fellow drivers George Russell, Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon, and Lance Stroll at a press conference hosted by PlanetF1.com. However, according to a report by Sky Germany, Hulkenberg’s appearance for the media briefing was abruptly cancelled following the unexpected incident.
In a scene straight out of a movie, a minor grinding operation on Hulkenberg’s C45 car in the Sauber garage resulted in a ‘tiny splinter’ flying into Hulkenberg’s eye. This accident not only cut short Hulkenberg’s run on Wednesday but also forced him to miss the press conference.
Despite the setback, Hulkenberg was back on the track the following day, Thursday, with Bortoleto expected to take over the reins post-lunch, as per the team’s plan. Sauber, when approached by PlanetF1.com for a comment on the incident, has yet to respond.
This strange incident has sparked speculation about Hulkenberg’s seemingly negative body language, as noted by veteran F1 pit-lane reporter Ted Kravitz during Wednesday’s morning session. Reflecting on the incident, Kravitz said, “I hope Gabriel Bortoleto has a better run than Nico Hulkenberg has had this morning.” He further added, “If body language is anything to go by — and I’ve followed Hulkenberg’s entire F1 career — he hasn’t had the most happy session.”
Hulkenberg’s demeanor during the incident, as observed by Kravitz, might provide insights into the driver’s experience during the testing. Following the incident, Hulkenberg was seen giving a debrief to Mattia Binotto at the back of the garage, a meeting that was reportedly devoid of any smiles.
It’s clear that this unexpected turn of events has caused a stir within the F1 community. As Hulkenberg and the Sauber team recover from this freak incident, fans and followers will be eagerly waiting for updates on the driver’s condition and how this might impact the upcoming F1 season.