Nico Hulkenberg claims his six-foot height cost him a Ferrari seat in 2013

Nico Hulkenberg was known to be in the running for the Ferrari seat in 2013.

Nico Hulkenberg claims his six-foot height cost him a Ferrari seat in 2013

Nico Hulkenberg (image via Haas F1 team)

Nico Hulkenberg is one of the strongest drivers in the F1 midfield. The German driver has spent his entire career delivering impressive and consistent results. Although, the 35-year-old never got to race for a top team in the sport. Now, Hulkenberg has revealed that it was his tall height that prevented him from driving for Scuderia Ferrari.

It has often been understood that the 6-foot height of the German driver forced him out of contention for Ferrari in 2013. The Haas driver is one of the tallest in the paddock. Hulkenberg raced for Force India in 2012 and then turned to Sauber for the following season for a short stint before returning to Silverstone in 2014. Things could’ve been very different had Ferrari signed the 35-year-old.

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Nico Hulkenberg believed that his height hindered the tight packing of cars that hampered performance. As such, the German driver did not get the chance to race for Ferrari. He said, “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.”

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Nico Hulkenberg’s impressive 2023 season

Nico Hulkenberg during the 2023 Austrian GP (image via Autoracing1.com)
Nico Hulkenberg during the 2023 Austrian GP (image via Autoracing1.com)

When Haas signed Nico Hulkenberg to replace Mick Schumacher, many believed that it was a bad decision to sign the aging driver. However, Hulkenberg has defied all odds and proved the right choice for the American team. The 35-year-old has delivered outstanding results in Qualifying with regular appearances in the top 10 knockouts.

Nico Hulkenberg has not only managed to be on the pace from the get-go despite not racing full-time in F1 since 2019, but the German driver has even outperformed teammate Kevin Magnussen. Certainly, the 35-year-old has been the faster Haas by a mile this season. As such, it is not surprising that Hulkenberg is likely to get a contract extension with the team for next year.

Thus, Nico Hulkenberg was convinced that his height deterred Ferrari from signing him for the 2013 season. The German driver understood that a 6-foot driver in the cockpit influences the entire car packaging that could hamper indeed reduce its potential. Although, the Haas driver has managed to solidify his place as a consistent driver in the sport nonetheless.

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