Nico Hülkenberg’s Formula 1 career took many unexpected turns, but perhaps one of the most fascinating “what if” moments came when he was poised to join one of the best teams on the grid: Mercedes.
Back in 2012, Mercedes were looking to secure their driver lineup for the future, and Hülkenberg was a serious candidate. At the time, Mercedes were making strides to become a dominant force in F1, and they needed a driver with the right combination of skill, consistency, and hunger for success. Hülkenberg, then a rising star at Force India, was seen as a strong fit for the team.
However, in a twist of fate, Mercedes opted to go with Lewis Hamilton, who had just left McLaren, instead of Hülkenberg. The decision to sign Hamilton was monumental, and it set the stage for the team’s domination of the sport over the next decade. Meanwhile, Hülkenberg’s career would take a different path, with some close calls and near-misses but never the top-tier seat that many felt he deserved.
Looking back, it’s easy to imagine how different the F1 landscape could have been if Hülkenberg had joined Mercedes instead of Hamilton. The talented German driver could have been part of Mercedes’ title-winning campaigns, possibly even challenging for the World Championship himself. Unfortunately for Hülkenberg, this opportunity slipped away, and he would go on to become a driver who was constantly on the edge of greatness but never fully able to capitalize on those chances.
Though he never got to wear the Mercedes silver, Hülkenberg’s potential as a top-tier driver was evident. What could have been, remains one of the most intriguing stories in recent F1 history.
