Nico Hulkenberg blames climate change concerns for the slump in F1’s popularity in Germany

After announcing his comeback to Haas, Nico Hulkenberg is the only German on the 2023 F1 grid.Nico Hulkenberg highlights climate change's role in diminishing Formula 1's popularity in Germany. The nation previously hosted two acclaimed circuits—Nurburgring and Hockenheim—yet financial challenges led to their removal from the calendar. The absence of German racing icons like Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel has further exacerbated this decline. Hulkenberg remains the lobe German on the 2023 grid. Nico Hülkenberg noted Germany's racing fortune with Schumacher, Vettel, and Rosberg, alongside Mercedes' three-decade F1 dominance. Hulkenburg observed variable F1 popularity. He also added that in Germany, the perception of the automotive industry contributing to climate change and lacking sustainability had impacted motorsport negatively. “I think also sometimes the sport is more popular and has higher demand, and then naturally, probably, it tails off sometimes. But then also, I think, in Germany, the perception of in general the car automotive industry is it's like responsible for climate change and is not sustainable. And I think that rubs off onto motorsport,” Nico said according to Autoport.com.


Nico Hulkenberg blames climate change concerns for the slump in F1’s popularity in Germany

Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg (Image credit: PlanetF1)

Nico Hulkenberg highlights climate change’s role in diminishing Formula 1’s popularity in Germany. The nation previously hosted two acclaimed circuits—Nurburgring and Hockenheim—yet financial challenges led to their removal from the calendar. The absence of German racing icons like Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel has further exacerbated this decline. Hulkenberg remains the lobe German on the 2023 grid.

Nico Hulkenberg noted Germany’s racing fortune with Schumacher, Vettel, and Nico Rosberg, alongside Mercedes’ three-decade F1 dominance. Hulkenburg observed variable F1 popularity. He also added that in Germany, the perception of the automotive industry contributing to climate change and lacking sustainability had impacted motorsport negatively.

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“I think also sometimes the sport is more popular and has higher demand, and then naturally, probably, it tails off sometimes. But then also, I think, in Germany, the perception of in general the car automotive industry is it’s like responsible for climate change and is not sustainable. And I think that rubs off onto motorsport,” the Haas driver said, as reported by Autoport.com.

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Nico Hulkenberg expresses skepticism on the revival of the German Grand Prix

Germany’s Hockenheimring (Image credit: Autosport.com)

Amidst discussions of the German Grand Prix’s return, Hockenheimring’s interest remains. Yet, Nico Hülkenberg remains skeptical about its revival, downplaying the significance of racing on home turf. He’s now the lone German driver on the grid, and since 2020, Germany hasn’t hosted a Grand Prix. The scarcity of German talents progressing towards Formula 1 also troubles Hülkenberg.

Hülkenburg mentioned that he wouldn’t oppose it and expressed his enjoyment of racing in Germany. He added that any potential change wouldn’t affect him, and he didn’t anticipate it happening. He acknowledged not having insider information and speculated that some individuals might attempt to influence the situation, although he wasn’t certain.

“I like all the racing in Germany, [but] it wouldn’t make a difference for me and I don’t expect it to happen,” he said. “But I’m not behind the scenes there. I don’t know, maybe some people are trying to pull some strings. But I don’t know,” Hulkenburg further stated.

In the F1 season of 2023, Hülkenberg marked his complete return to the grid with Haas and has garnered notable acclaim throughout the ongoing season. His remarkable achievements include securing the P2 position on the grid in Canada. A standout moment for the team, courtesy of the VF-23 challenger’s performance.

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