Nico Hülkenberg — 2022 season

Nico Hülkenberg's 2022 Formula 1 season was defined by two unexpected stand-in appearances for Aston Martin, marking his return to competitive F1 machinery in the new ground-effect era without scoring championship points.

Going in

The 2022 season ushered in a significant technical overhaul for Formula 1, introducing the tunnel-floor ground-effect regulations, 18-inch wheels, and simplified aerodynamics designed to promote closer racing. For Nico Hülkenberg, a veteran of over 180 Grand Prix starts, the year began as a reserve driver for Aston Martin. His role was to provide support and be ready should a primary driver be unavailable. That contingency arose quickly when Sebastian Vettel tested positive for COVID-19, sidelining him for the opening two rounds. This presented Hülkenberg with an unforeseen opportunity to return to the grid, albeit in a car, the AMR22, that was still in its early development phase under the new regulations, proving to be a challenging machine for the team.

How it played out

Hülkenberg's first outing was at the Bahrain Grand Prix. With limited preparation in the new-generation car, he qualified 17th. In the race, he maintained that position, finishing 17th, demonstrating a solid, if unspectacular, return. The following week, at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Hülkenberg again qualified 17th. However, in the high-speed demands of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, he showcased his experience, climbing to a 12th-place finish. This was a notable performance, especially when considering the circumstances. His teammate, Lance Stroll, finished 12th in Bahrain and 13th in Saudi Arabia, indicating Hülkenberg's pace was competitive, particularly in the second race where he finished ahead of Stroll. Despite these efforts, he did not score any championship points across his two appearances, placing him 22nd in the Drivers' Championship.

Defining moments

The defining moment of Hülkenberg's 2022 season was undoubtedly the call to step into the Aston Martin AMR22 at such short notice for the first two races. Adapting to an entirely new car concept, which many established drivers were still grappling with, and doing so without the benefit of pre-season testing in that specific machinery, underscored his professionalism and inherent talent. His performance in Saudi Arabia, where he gained five positions from his starting grid slot to finish 12th, highlighted his ability to extract performance even from an unfamiliar and initially uncompetitive package. It was a testament to his consistent racecraft, a trait that has seen drivers like quickly adapt to new team environments and machinery.