SUMMARY
- Nico Hulkenberg was denied an Ferrari seat for being too tall.
- Hulkenberg could replace Carlos Sainz at Ferrari if the Spaniard is not able toe extend his stay with the team.
Nico Hulkenberg is one of the most talented drivers with limited success in F1. Despite putting on some impressive performances over the years, the German driver has never been able to finish on the podium in Formula 1. Back in 2013, Hulkenberg was linked to a couple of top teams in F1. However, he did not manage to get a seat on either of these teams. One of these teams was Ferrari.
Now with Carlos Sainz having trouble with his contract extension, Hulkenberg has been given another chance to drive in the infamous red F1 car.
Why did Ferrari refuse to sign Nico Hulkenberg in 2014?
After the 2013 season, the Prancing Horse was looking for someone to replace Felipe Massa in Ferrari. Massa had been driving for the team for 8 years. However, his time had come, and he had to make way for other drivers with greater potential. The team looked at Nico Hulkenberg for this seat.
It has been reported that several conversations took place between the German and Ferrari. However, at the end of the day, the team chose an older driver who had already driven for Ferrari before, Kimi Raikkonen. It was reported that Nico was not chosen to drive for Ferrari because of his height.
⚠️ | Nico Hulkenberg says being 6’0 cost him a 2013 Ferrari seat:
“I never got a response where they said, ‘I’m sorry, we turned you down because you’re too tall’.
“But I’m pretty sure this hindered me… [the] packaging issues, less space, more weight.”
— formularacers (@formularacers_) August 17, 2023
Nico stands at 184 cm. Felipe Massa on the other hand is only 166 cm tall. This gave almost a 20 cm gap between the 2 drivers. Raikonnen who was chosen instead of Hulkenberg stands at 175 cm. There is only a 9 cm gap between Nico and Raikkonen. This 9 cm prevented the German driver from a career with Ferrari.
Height does play a small role in a car’s performance. However, this deficit can be prevented by adjusting the sitting position of the driver. It is not clear as to why the Italian team did not want to do so for Hulkenberg. It is probable that the team had some technical issues with a taller driver in the car.
When does Nico Hulkenberg’s Haas contract end?
Nico Hulkenberg’s current contract with Haas is set to expire after the 2024 season. This will provide him with a second chance to join Ferrari. Carlos Sainz is apparently having trouble with his negotiations for a contract extension with Ferrari. It has been reported that Sainz is demanding a similar contract to what Leclerc has already signed. However, Ferrari is a bit more hesitant than expected.
BREAKING: Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg re-sign with Haas for the 2024 season!#F1 @HaasF1Team pic.twitter.com/M3ZNID7Y1N
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 24, 2023
Although this could be bad news for Sainz and Ferrari’s relationship, it could provide the opportunity for Ferrari to pursue Hulkenberg once again. This time, hopefully, height will not be an issue. Although there are no confirmed reports that Ferrari is pursuing Hulkenberg for the 2025 season, there is a possibility.
If Sainz and Ferrari are not able to decide on a contract extension, Ferrari may not have many options left. Although there will be 13 drivers out of a contract, the option for Ferrari will have to be talented and promising. There are not a lot of drivers who will fill this criteria for the team. So Nico could have a good chance if he is able to prove himself with Haas in 2024.