Marko reveals how Red Bull came ‘very close’ to signing Hulkenberg

It’s a story that’s been told before but Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has revealed just how close Nico Hulkenberg came to joining the Milton Keynes outfit at the end of the 2020 Formula 1 season, only for the team to ultimately select Sergio Perez instead.

The German, who had lost his seat with Renault the year before, was seriously considered as Max Verstappen’s teammate. However, Perez’s breakthrough victory at the Sakhir Grand Prix tipped the scales in favour of the Mexican.

And yet, as Marko explained, Hulkenberg’s connection with Red Bull was already budding in 2020.

“At that time he was, I think, a co-commentator at Servus TV [owned by Red Bull], so there was already a relationship there, and there were the beginnings of talks.

“But then Perez won that race in Bahrain, I think, and because of that everything turned in Perez’s direction,” Marko told F1-Insider.

Why Perez Got the Nod

Marko admitted the decision at the time certainly wasn’t straightforward, suggesting Hulkenberg could have been a strong asset to the team.

“I think it would have been a really nice time, because the two get along very well, and yes, Hulkenberg is a safe bank for points, and in our car it would also have been top positions,” he explained.

Perez went on to spend four seasons alongside Verstappen, playing a crucial support role as Red Bull dominated Formula 1, before being replaced by rookie Liam Lawson in 2025.

Standing by the Decision

Despite the near miss, Marko insisted he does not regret the choice made, highlighting the broader success of Red Bull’s driver development system.

“Actually, I stand by the decisions, and one has to bear in mind that over 95% of the drivers who did not remain in our programme then go on to race in Formula E, race in WEC, race in DTM or elsewhere,” he said.

“They earn good money - far more than they probably could in a civilian profession - and then they do what they love, namely compete in motorsport. And that was mainly made possible through our involvement.

“And Formula 1 is the pinnacle, and it requires not only talent but also special characteristics and a certain strength, both mentally and in overall constitution.”

• Read also: Marko praises Piastri, but questions McLaren’s no-orders strategy

For Hulkenberg, the near-miss with Red Bull did not derail his F1 journey. After starting two races with Aston Martin in 2022 as the team’s reserve driver, the German veteran joined Haas in 2023 before moving to Sauber at the beginning of this year.

Marko’s revelation underscores the unpredictable nature of F1, where a single race can reshape careers and team strategies.

As Red Bull continues to chase championships, the “what-if” of Hulkenberg in their lineup remains a tantalizing footnote in the sport’s history.

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