Haas has confirmed the long-awaited news that Nico Hulkenberg will return to Formula 1 full-time in 2023, in place of Mick Schumacher.
Hulkenberg raced in Formula 1 from 2010 through 2019 – aside from 2011 – for Williams, Sauber, Force India and Renault.
He was unable to secure a seat for the 2020 season after being replaced at Renault by Esteban Ocon but has remained affiliated to Formula 1 through a reserve role at Racing Point/Aston Martin.
That led to five entries across 2020 and 2022, most recently in Saudi Arabia in March, when he filled in for Covid-positive Sebastian Vettel.
On Thursday, ahead of Formula 1’s season finale in Abu Dhabi, Haas confirmed that the 35-year-old veteran will link up with Kevin Magnussen for 2023.
“I’m very happy to move into a full-time race seat with Haas F1 Team in 2023,” said Hulkenberg.
“I feel like I never really left Formula 1. I’m excited to have the opportunity to do what I love the most again and want to thank Gene Haas and Günther Steiner for their trust. We have work ahead of us to be able to compete with all the other teams in the midfield, and I cannot wait to join that battle again.”
The development leaves Schumacher off the starting grid after spending two years with Haas.
It also ostensibly confirms the full 2023 Formula 1 line-up, with the only asterisk remaining at Williams, where Logan Sargeant still has to secure the required Super Licence points.
