Nico Hulkenberg in the mix to join Haas for 2023

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By George Dagless

Published Sep 16, 2022

Nico Hulkenberg is said to be firmly in the mix for the vacant Haas seat next year, with him the potential replacement for Mick Schumacher

NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 09: Nico Hulkenberg of Germany and Racing Point reacts in parc ferme during the F1 70th Anniversary Grand Prix at Silverstone on August 09, 2020 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

Nico Hulkenberg is said to be firmly in the mix for the vacant Haas seat next year, with him the potential replacement for Mick Schumacher.

Haas have one drive available for 2023 as things stand, with Kevin Magnussen already committed to another year after an impressive return to Formula 1 this season.

Indeed, it's Mick Schumacher that is currently on the other side of the garage but the German's future with the team and even in terms of on the grid is still in doubt, with several other names being linked with replacing him at Haas.

This is not to say that Mick has no chance of staying with Haas, of course, with him still having races left this season to keep showing what he can do but, evidently, the team is weighing up its options as to who they want to bring in alongside Magnussen.

That said, Antonio Giovinazzi and Nico Hulkenberg have both been linked with the position, with Giovinazzi running in the Haas VF-22 at Monza in FP1 and Hulkenberg regularly touted as a potential returner to the grid.

MONZA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 09: Antonion Giovinazzi of Italy driving the (99) Haas F1 VF-22 Ferrari on track during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo Nazionale Monza on September 09, 2022 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Indeed, as per ESPN, the experienced German is a 'front-running' candidate to replace Schumacher at Haas for 2023

The report states that Nico and Haas team principal Guenther Steiner enjoy a good relationship with one another and that Magnussen has said there'd be no issues if Hulkenberg was to be his team-mate for next season, with their famous row at the Hungarian Grand Prix going viral on social media back in 2017.

As yet, however, nothing has been confirmed and so Schumacher will be looking to try and show that he is still the best option for Haas for 2023.

The driver market

There is still so much to be decided with the driver market for 2023.

Only half of the teams on the grid have their line-ups for next season confirmed, with seats available at Haas, Alfa Romeo, AlphaTauri, Alpine and Williams.

It looks as though Haas are plotting to bring in a driver with more experience if they do replace Mick, however, and Hulkenberg, with over 180 races under his belt, is about as experienced as it gets.

Giovinazzi cannot be discounted, meanwhile, with him having Ferrari links, which obviously ties in with Haas, and with him also a free agent for next year after his career in Formula E came to a pretty short-lived end at the conclusion of last season.