Hulkenberg: Haas 2024 turnaround “a hell of an achievement”

Adam Cooper
18/12/2024

Nico Hulkenberg says that the progress of Haas from last place in the World Championship in 2023 to seventh this season was “a hell of an achievement” for the US-owned team.

Haas struggled badly with tyre management with the VF-23, but managed to successfully address the issue with this year’s car.

In addition under new team principal Ayao Komatsu the team fared much better in the development race than it had done in previous seasons, maintaining strong form all the way to the final race. It ultimately just lost out to Alpine in the battle for sixth.

“You forget quickly where we were last year, and how down we were some days, and how much shit we had to eat!,” said Hulkenberg, who joins Sauber in 2025.

“It was tough last year. And to have come out and turned that situation around like we did, it’s a hell of an achievement from everyone in the team.”

“I really enjoyed being part of that. It’s been very enjoyable with everyone. I think Ayao has done a fantastic job this year as TP.”

“So many things came at him, and he’s really worked through all of them. It’s been impressive and good. Just leave happy.”

“They’re a strong contender, if they keep working like this, I know they’re a serious contender in the future, probably in and around the fight for P5.”

Hulkenberg Haas

Hulkenberg, who finished 11th in the drivers’ championship, indicated that 2024 was one of his better seasons.

“Definitely one of the most consistent,” he said. “I feel I probably had similar, really good seasons, 2017, 2018 even going back to 2016, I’ve had a lot of those seasons, I think.”

“But probably it’s the one that I’ve enjoyed the most, and the highs as well as the lows. And just enjoyed the challenge, enjoyed being here, and it’s been very fun.”

Regarding falling behind Alpine he said: “It slipped through our hands in Brazil, unfortunately, obviously, they took a huge chunk out of us. And in Qatar too I think their progress rate has been very impressive in the last quarter of the season.”

“And Pierre [Gasly] has also driven amazingly, no mistakes, very consistent, as we know him. So fair play to them.”

Hulkenberg conceded that 2025 won’t be an easy season for Sauber given its last place this season, and the strength of the teams in the midfield battle.

“It’s a competitive sport, and everyone is pushing a lot,” he said. “The air is very thin, like we saw now, Alpine is back, probably Aston will come back. So it’s going to be tough. And I think there’s work ahead at Sauber, no doubt.”

“But lately it’s looked a bit brighter. It looked like the Vegas update for them did something, and put them on the right track, in the right direction.”

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