Hulkenberg wins at Le Mans

No sooner had the chequered flag fallen on a rather event-free Canadian Grand Prix did the motorsport world turn its attention to the Le Mans 24 hour race.

Hulkenberg (right) wins Le Mans 2015

Staged since 1923, the race is the world’s oldest sports car event. Driven on a combination of closed track and open roads, it is considered one of the most prestigious races in motorsport alongside the likes of Monaco, the Indy 500 or Bathurst. The sport draws in the biggest manufactures and drivers from across the world of motorsport. It allows 458 and 911 drivers to unite with those sporting a more humble Yaris or Micra in supporting their car companies around the Circuit de la Sarthe.

To draw the article back to Formula 1, it was Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg, driving for Porsche, who reached the chequered flag first after 395 laps of the 14 km track. In doing so, the German became the first active Formula 1 driver to win the race in 24 years since Johnny Herbert in the howling Mazda 787B.

The Mazda 787B: If you do nothing else today, just Youtube the sound of this car.

Porsche made the 2015 Le Mans a 1:2 finish with a certain Mark Webber piloting the 2^nd placed car. This victory also marked a record 17^th for Porsche just a year after their 2014 return to the LMP1 category of the most grueling endurance race.

Hulkeberg is often regarded as one of the most talented and underrated drivers on the F1 grid. So to receive the prestige and recognition of winning the Le Mans race of 2015 sets the bar incredibly high as a ‘career highlight’. The German has faced a torrid time in Formula 1 up until now. From taking an unbelievable pole position in an uncompetitive Williams in 2010 around Interlagos, to being dropped by the team for 2011, being a reserve driver and then not being paid at Sauber. But with such a victory at Le Mans and the infinite wealth of Porsche, Nico could well be tempted away from Formula 1 where his pay is still under jeopardy at Force India.

As Kimi Raikkonen’s tenure with Ferrari is nearing its end, Nico has often been tooted to graduate to the Prancing Horse. However, over the last season or so, like Scaramanga, Bottas has been ruthlessly efficient in his work whilst remaining highly understated (although without the third nipple and dwarf sidekick). He is winning increasing plaudits and has now become the favourite to replace Raikkonen. So where does this leave Hulkenberg?

The resemblance is uncanny... 

Christopher Lee 1922-2015

The Le Mans victory is undeniably the best possible addition to his CV, but he has become increasingly active in sports car racing. And so if the prime opportunity does not open up for the German in the near future, the sport could lose one of its most underestimated talents.

It would be a great loss for the sport surrounded by the whispers of ‘what if?’ and what he truly could have achieved in the world of single seaters. The paddock and the fans are endeared to Nico Hulkenberg, so for our sake I hope he stays in Formula 1, but if he seeks pastures new then who can blame him? The career of a racing driver is ever so short.