Nico Hulkenberg will not be making Indycar move despite successful McLaren test

Former Formula 1 driver Nico Hulkenberg has killed off his own prospects of racing in the NTT IndyCar Series in the future, for “personal reasons”. The 34-year-old German driver, who remains Aston Martin F1’s reserve driver but who no longer entertains any hopes of returning full-time to the grid, was offered a test outing by Arrow McLaren SP two weeks ago at Barber Motorsports Park. Hulkenberg qualified the run in Alabama as “good and successful” while McLaren Racing boss Zak Brown readily put the former Grand Prix driver among the front-runners to fill a third seat in the future at AMSP. However, despite the positive feedback that followed his Barber test, Hulkenberg ruled out a move to IndyCar in a message on Twitter on Thursday. “Quick update regarding IndyCar: It was exciting to test an Indycar two weeks ago and I am grateful to Arrow McLaren SP for this opportunity,” Hulkenberg wrote. “However for personal reasons I decided not to go ahead with it. Keep you posted on my future plans.” The former Renault driver didn’t elaborate on the “personal reasons” behind his decision. But as the proud parents of a recently born young son, Hulkenberg and his wife, fashion designer Egle Ruskyte, may feel that committing to IndyCar or relocating to America are not in the family’s best interests. Hulkenberg’s former F1 colleagues, Marcus Ericsson and Romain Grosjean have both successfully undergone the endeavour. Ericsson switched to IndyCar in 2019 and has enjoyed two wins in the series, while Grosjean is in the process of moving his family to the US where he will undertake in 2022 his first full IndyCar season, running with top outfit Andretti Autosport.

Read More

Rumours Audi will partner with Williams, Porsche with McLaren

Two Volkswagen carmakers are looking to enter Formula 1 from 2026, according to the major German newspaper Bild. However, while it was already known that Audi or Porsche might be looking to tie up with Red Bull’s post-Honda future, other F1 teams might also benefit. “It’s great that big brands are interested in getting into Formula 1,” Toto Wolff is quoted as saying when asked if Mercedes would welcome more German manufacturers to the grid. Bild claims a works VW team is unlikely, with the more probable solution being Audi power for Red Bull but possibly also the currently Mercedes-powered Williams. Porsche, meanwhile, could link up with its historical engine partner McLaren, which is led by German team boss Andreas Seidl, who previously led Porsche to success at Le Mans. Formula 1 is changing the engine regulations for 2026 to make the power units cheaper, more environmentally friendly, louder and more competitive.

Read More