Nico Hulkenberg is not the \u201cdreamer\u201d type, so Helmut Marko revealing that he was up against Sergio Perez for a Red Bull seat is of limited significance to him.<\/p>\n
Hulkenberg offered his thoughts after Marko, the former Red Bull senior advisor, revealed earlier in the year that it was Perez vs Hulkenberg for a 2021 Red Bull<\/a> drive. Ultimately, Perez got the nod, but Marko hinted that in \u201chindsight\u201d, this was perhaps not the best call.<\/p>\n Nico Hulkenberg brushes off Helmut Marko Red Bull claim<\/p>\n In terms of pure talent, Hulkenberg has long been regarded as one of the stronger drivers on the F1 grid. Yet, he has never been given his opportunity to put that to the test in a leading car.<\/p>\n He almost got his chance, according to Marko.<\/p>\n It was to be either Perez or Hulkenberg who got the Red Bull seat alongside Verstappen for 2021. Marko claimed that Perez\u2019s win in Bahrain the prior year was what got him the seat over Hulkenberg.<\/p>\n \u201cHe [Hulkenberg] was in discussions,\u201d Marko told Sky Deutschland earlier this year. \u201cThen Perez won the race in Bahrain, which was just in the decision-making phase and then tipped the scales.\u201d<\/p>\n Perez did win five grands prix across four seasons with Red Bull, but departed at the end of 2024 following a fresh collapse in form.<\/p>\n Hulkenberg, meanwhile, has re-established his place on the grid since returning in stints with Haas and Sauber.<\/p>\n Hulkenberg scored his long-awaited first F1 podium at the 2025 British GP, and is signed up for the Audi F1 era which kicks in from 2026.<\/p>\n Marko conceded that Red Bull perhaps went with the wrong guy.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was before we took Checo Perez,\u201d Marko told OE24: \u201cIn hindsight, you\u2019re always smarter.<\/p>\n \u201cCheco won then, Hulkenberg threw races away at the time.<\/p>\n \u201cNow he\u2019s better. The older he gets, the fewer mistakes he makes.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s why he has a good contract with Audi.\u201d<\/p>\n Hulkenberg was given the chance to respond to Marko\u2019s comments, while speaking in a Qatar GP press conference.<\/p>\n He was asked if he ever imagined what it would be like partnering the four-time World Champion Verstappen at Red Bull, in light of Marko\u2019s comments.<\/p>\n More on Red Bull from PlanetF1.com<\/p>\n Yuki Tsunoda has been destroyed<\/a><\/p>\n Helmut Marko\u2019s telling response ahead of Max Verstappen\u2019s first Red Bull season without him<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cNot really, because, you know, I\u2019m not really the dreamer type,\u201d he responded.<\/p>\n \u201cIt would be different, but, you know, it didn\u2019t happen.<\/p>\n \u201cI had a few close misses, but at the end of the day, they don\u2019t matter. They don\u2019t count. I am where I am and what happened, happened.\u201d<\/p>\n Hulkenberg may not spend much time dwelling on Red Bull and what could have been, but was asked how close he got to a Red Bull deal.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, not close enough, obviously,\u201d was his response.<\/p>\n Hulkenberg will continue to partner the impressive Gabriel Bortoleto in F1 2026, as the duo transition from Sauber to Audi F1 drivers.<\/p>\n Verstappen, meanwhile, has another new teammate as Isack Hadjar steps up to the plate following his eye-catching rookie F1 season with Racing Bulls.<\/p>\n Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp<\/a> to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.<\/p>\n You can also subscribe to the PlanetF1 YouTube channel<\/a> for exclusive features, hear from our paddock journalists with stories from the heart of Formula 1 and much more!<\/p>\n