After a 3-year hiatus, Nico Hulkenberg will enter the F1 paddock as a full-time driver in 2023. The German driver has not been the star driver many hoped he might have been. Still, Haas decided to hire Hulkenberg, due to his extensive experience. Since the announcement of his F1 return, Nico has been involved in a lot of activities with his team. He was involved in the post-season test in Abu Dhabi and has been getting familiar with the Haas car and team. Though, Nico’s recent Instagram story puzzled some of the F1 fans that showed him in Maranello.
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As per Reddit, Nico posted an Instagram story that showed a picture of the Ferrari factory entrance in Maranello, Italy. This raised some eyebrows and led to speculations about why Hulkenberg visited Ferrari’s base. Several fans have tried to clarify that Nico may have been visiting the Haas facility inside the Maranello campus of the Scuderia.
Since its inception, Haas has been a close ally of the Scuderia. The American team has ties with Ferrari on several terms, that also allow them to utilize Ferrari’s facilities in Maranello. Haas is also an engine customer of Ferrari, and these two teams share a lot of development insights too.
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So, some fans try to make sense out of this story by Hulkenberg, that he visited the Haas facility. Although that has not stopped some other fans from speculating about Nico’s visit to Maranello. given,
Hulk has also driven in endurance racing. There are some assumptions that the Scuderia may look at onboarding him to the WEC lineup. But, for 2023 that may not be possible, as the team already announced its hypercar lineup for this season.
Fans react to Nico Hulkenberg visiting Ferrari’s HQ in Maranello
Half of the fans have tried to find some amusing fun speculations about the reason for F1 returnee Nico Hulkenberg visiting Maranello. While there is the other half who are pointing out the Haas-Ferrari dynamic; the fun speculations have also got a nice wind on this Reddit conversation.
There is also crazy speculation it can turn out to be “Spygate Pt.2” which involved Ferrari and McLaren in 2007. All in all, Haas won’t want to mess up its relations with the Scuderia.
Hulkenberg certainly would not have gone to pick up Haas’s engines for the 2023 season. Still, he would have loved to know whether the Ferrari PU has good improvements or not, for his team’s benefit.
It may be a little late for Nico to join the WEC contingent for Ferrari’s 2023 hypercar campaign. Nevertheless, his return to F1 is a great opportunity to re-establish his credentials. If the German driver can make the most out of this second chance, his F1 career can end on a strong stint.
Nevertheless, Hulkenberg may have some team dynamic challenges with Kevin Magnussen, given their not-so-cool history. Though, both drivers have downplayed any issues so far.
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Nico would have to perform exceptionally well to get a career-turning opportunity again, given he is already 35 years old. Unless he shows some extraordinary performances, it is difficult that a top-half team may look at his CV.
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Still, Hulkenberg would love to get that elusive podium somehow. What do you think of Hulkenberg’s return?
