F1: 'Nico Hulkenberg Almost Became Max Verstappen's Team-mate', Reveals Red Bull Advisor Helmut Marko

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko revealed that Nico Hulkenberg almost became Max Verstappen’s team-mate in 2021 instead of Sergio Perez.

With the team looking to move on from Alex Albon, Hulkenberg impressed with his performances as a replacement driver during a covid-impacted season.

Hulkenberg, who was also working as a pundit during the 2020 season, was close to joining Red Bull before Perez won the penultimate race of the campaign to secure his seat with the team.

Verstappen has had plenty of team-mates at Red Bull, partnering Daniel Ricciardo, Pierre Gasly, Albon, Perez, Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda.

Perez only claimed five race wins across four seasons with the team, but played a vital role in Verstappen’s maiden championship victory in 2021.

The driver produced a valiant effort in slowing down Lewis Hamilton in the final race in Abu Dhabi, allowing Verstappen to catch up after a pit stop and eventually win the race and the drivers’ title.

Marko admitted he would have liked to have seen Hulkenberg at Red Bull alongside Verstappen.

“At that time he [Hulkenberg] was, I think, a co-commentator at Servus TV, so there was already a relationship there, and there were the beginnings of talks," Marko told F1 Insider.

“But then Perez won that race in Bahrain, I think, and because of that everything turned in Perez's direction.

“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.”