Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher has connected Sauber star Nico Hulkenberg to a surprise transfer to the Red Bull squad.
Yuki Tsunoda replaced the underperforming Liam Lawson in a very contentious driver swap between the main team and junior squad Racing Bulls, causing Red Bull to experience driver instability after just two races this season.
With just 13 races under his belt, Lawson has already been relegated, while Max Verstappen is sitting second in the world championship following strong points-scoring finishes in Australia and China.
Schumacher believes that the big mistake Red Bull made was in trying to replace Sergio Perez at the end of 2024, and not choosing an experienced driver to replace the Mexican in the first place.
Speaking to Sky Sports Germany, the six-time grand prix winner claims that the team should have picked an experienced star, and that Sauber’s Hulkenberg was the best fit of all candidates to team up with Verstappen – despite the German still waiting to secure his first F1 podium after 229 starts.
“I might even have chosen an outside driver if it had been possible. The mistake from the start was not letting Nico Hulkenberg into the car,” Schumacher said.
“And that was Christian Horner’s decision, who apparently didn’t want him – that’s what I heard.
“They needed a clear, experienced No 2 alongside Max Verstappen, and I think that would have worked well. He’s great in qualifying, and he’s great in race trim – and that was the big mistake.
“After that, I think Christian Horner really wanted Franco Colapinto. But he shot himself in the foot with his three total crashes in the last few races.
“And then there was Dr. Marko, who said at the time, we’ll take our junior. Personally, though, I don’t see any junior driver alongside Max at the moment.”
