With the news that Nico Hulkenberg will leave Force India at the end of the season, we thought that this was a perfect time to look back on the highlights of his time at the Silverstone-based squad.
After being dropped by Williams in favour of cash-laden Pastor Maldonado for 2011, Hulkenberg joined Force India as reserve driver to Adrian Sutil and Paul di Resta – driving in all but five first practice sessions that season.
He was promoted to a race seat the following year and was an instant hit, consistently outpacing teammate di Resta. Hulkenberg’s best performance came in Brazil where he led the majority of the race until a tangle with Lewis Hamilton cost him a maiden podium.
A season with Sauber in 2013 saw the German’s stock rise further, but he returned to Force India after a single season following salary issues at the Swiss team.
Despite being lined up as Massa’s replacement at Ferrari, Hulkenberg has remained at Force India for three more years. Now his time at a works team has finally come, we need to wonder if this is the chance the Le Mans winner needs to end his Formula One podium duck.
