The 2023 F1 season is going to serve us a lot of different stories. One of them is the comeback of German driver Nico Hulkenberg. The 35-year-old is coming back to the grid after a hiatus of 3 years on the sidelines. Yet, the Hulk’s return has got some mixed reception. Many fans are delighted to see Nico back in the sport. Although, several fans scoffed at his F1 return. This discontent was fully unleashed when Haas dropped a video of Hulkenberg recently.
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Haas dropped a video on social media featuring Hulkenberg walking around the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. This post was captioned, “2023 is the Year of the Hulk 
” The team may have shot this video during the post-season test in Abu Dhabi when Nico was present and drove the car too.
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Many fans certainly don’t feel happy about Nico Hulkenberg replacing Mick Schumacher at Haas. Nevertheless, the team opted for this move and Nico will drive for the team in 2023. But, this has not stopped fans on social media to roast the German driver at the gates of his F1 return with Haas.
Several fans believe that Mick deserved another shot, given he is young and better for F1’s future. Meanwhile, Hulkenberg has not made most of his chance and is yet to get a podium. Nico had driven in F1 for almost a decade until 2019. During this time he had a lot of chances to get a podium finish.
MONZA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 06: Nico Hulkenberg of Germany and Renault Sport F1 looks on in the garage during practice for the F1 Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo di Monza in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
Still, Hulk was not able to capitalize on those chances and is yet to taste champagne on the podium. Besides this, fans also feel that Nico is aging up with already being 35 years old. Thus, it is not right to keep many young talents at bay, when we got only 20 seats on the grid.
Fans Savagely Roast Nico Hulkenberg on Twitter
As soon as Haas dropped Hulk’s walking video, fans went on Twitter and roasted Nico Hulkenberg badly. There are all sorts of remarks being made regarding his podium drought. But, also about how he is looking like an NPC in the GTA games.
asdfljlasdfj i am sorry to bother you internet stranger, but i clicked on this trending topic expecting nico hulkenberg news because (sports) and i just wanna know who these gay fellas people are talking about are from pic.twitter.com/adDwHMV1x7
— cal 
(@calicomagpie) January 8, 2023
It is true that Nico may not have made the best of his podium-winning chances. Still, Haas has shown faith in him because he is a solid mid-field driver. And perhaps that is what they need right now.
Forever searching for that first podium.
— DraMattic 
(@DraMatticDad) January 7, 2023
Looks like an old Mick Schumacher
— Social F1 (@social_ff1) January 7, 2023
wait a minute
47 – 20 = 27
MSC – MAG = HUL
… Did we have to see this coming since the beginning of the 2022 season?
— 𝓥𝓑
(@VichoBurro) January 7, 2023
On a funnier note, Hulk does seem a little uncomfortable in this footage, the way he is walking. He would rather love to prove his skills in the cockpit of the Haas car on track; rather than do a hero walk.
Still, there is some hope as several fans feel that “Hulkenback” in F1 could work well. Nico can finally redeem himself if he can perform consistently and avoid mistakes he has done in the past. Yet, the fans roasting Hulk surely outnumber his supporters right now.
Sure, you guys hired A poor Latifi
— Vasileios Lekakis (@VasileiosLekak1) January 7, 2023
WATCH THIS STORY: Notable moments from Saudi Arabia F1 Qualifying ft. Horrific Crash for Haas F1’s Mick Schumacher
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Hulkenback
A driver without a podium
— Tommaze (@Tommaze_Zero) January 7, 2023
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Nevertheless, Hulkenberg has to do the talking on the track. With a few substitute performances in 2020 and 2022, Nico has not been out of touch with the cars. If he can replicate his experience into consistent results for Haas, it would be ideal. What do you think of Hulkenberg’s return to F1 in 2023?
