Hulkenberg backs surprise contender for Stake F1 drive

Nico Hulkenberg has asserted he would recommend Kevin Magnussen for the second Stake seat for next year.

The identity of Hulkenberg’s team-mate at Stake has not yet been confirmed with various names linked to the vacancy.

Incumbent Valtteri Bottas is seeking an extension while Gabriel Bortoleto and Franco Colapinto have also been touted as potential candidates.

Haas’ Magnussen is currently without a drive for next year with the American team fielding Esteban Ocon alongside rookie Oliver Bearman.

When asked if he would recommend Magnussen to Stake team boss Mattia Binotto, Hulkenberg replied: “I would, definitely, yes. We’re a well-working combination with the right focus, mutual respect.

“Also in terms of engineering and what we went from the car, we were pulling in the same direction, which is always, you know, helpful for a team to focus on one direction.

“He’s coming off of a very strong weekend where he shows that, if it clicks for him, he’s very fast. The speed is there.”

Hulkenberg surprised by tight margins

Hulkenberg has largely held the upper hand on Magnussen this season, scoring 31 points to the Dane’s 17.

The head-to-head qualifying battle also swings in Hulkenberg’s favour, with the German coming out on top on 14 out of 20 occasions this year.

However, Hulkenberg asserted the margin between the pair has always been marginal.

“I feel generally this season, it’s often been super fine details and fine margins in why he has missed out, and why I progressed and scored [points] and he hasn’t,” he said.

“Every race has a story, but I feel often when you see the results after the weekend, and I see the data and the little differences, it was quite astonishing sometimes.

“It just goes back to how tight and competitive the midfield is, and you can’t really afford to  leave anything on the table.”