Unbelievable F1 Revelation: Nico Hulkenberg Was Set to Replace Hamilton at Mercedes!
In a jaw-dropping disclosure, Ross Brawn has shed light on a near-catastrophic moment in Formula 1 history where Nico Hulkenberg was poised to step into Lewis Hamilton’s shoes at Mercedes! If the ambitious negotiations to bring Hamilton from McLaren had floundered, Hulkenberg would have been the backup plan for the 2013 season—a revelation that has left fans and pundits alike in shock.
The backdrop to this explosive revelation is Hamilton’s controversial switch to Mercedes at the end of the tumultuous 2012 season. After a string of disappointments following his glorious 2008 championship win, Hamilton’s move was considered a gamble. At that time, Mercedes had managed only one victory since acquiring the Brawn GP team in 2010. However, the decision would turn into one of the most brilliant moves in sports, as Hamilton went on to seize six world titles in just seven seasons, matching the legendary Michael Schumacher’s record of seven championships.
Brawn, who played a pivotal role in Mercedes’ strategies before departing in 2014, disclosed that Hulkenberg was “on standby” during the critical talks with Hamilton. The German driver, now with Audi, was seen as a shining star of the future back in 2012, having already showcased his immense talent with teams like Williams and Force India. His impressive performances, including a stunning pole position in challenging conditions at the 2010 Brazilian Grand Prix, had put him on the radar of top teams.
In Brawn’s own words: “When I was at Mercedes, we almost employed Nico because we didn’t know what the situation was with Lewis for 2013. We were having a challenging time closing that [Hamilton] deal and Nico was on standby. He behaved in a very mature way during those discussions.” This statement underscores the gravity of the situation—Hulkenberg was not just a second choice but a serious contender for one of the most prestigious seats in Formula 1.
Had Hamilton’s negotiations collapsed, the plan was to pair Hulkenberg with Nico Rosberg in an all-German lineup. Rosberg would eventually retire in 2016 after clinching the championship against Hamilton, adding another layer of intrigue to this “what if” scenario. Thankfully for the Mercedes team, Hamilton ultimately signed with them, leaving Brawn and the team to inform Hulkenberg they could not proceed with his recruitment.
Fast forward to today, and the 38-year-old Hulkenberg has had a rollercoaster career in F1, marked by highs and lows. After being dropped by Renault and spending two years without a permanent seat, he finally secured a podium finish—his first in a staggering 239 races—at the 2022 British Grand Prix, where he finished third for Sauber. Brawn expressed his delight at seeing Hulkenberg finally receive recognition, stating, “It’s hard to imagine that Silverstone was his first podium after so long and after some great performances. That outcome was lovely to see.”
This sensational revelation raises questions about the nature of talent recognition in F1 and the pivotal moments that shape careers. With Hulkenberg’s journey now back in the spotlight, fans can only speculate on how different the F1 landscape might have looked if the stars had aligned differently in 2013.
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