Driver profile: Nico Hulkenberg

It took him a bit of time to shake off the rust of a year on the sidelines, but when Nico Hulkenberg found his feet at Force India in 2012 he was sensational.

Nip and tuck with team-mate Paul di Resta for the first two-thirds of the year, Hulkenberg found another level in the last few races.

Hulkenberg's stats and facts

  • Team: Sauber
  • Team-mate: Esteban Gutierrez
  • Previous teams: Williams, Force India
  • Nationality: German
  • Born: 19/08/87, Emmerich am Rhein

A series of strong results were topped by a stunning performance in the final race of the season, where in mixed conditions he was battling on merit for the victory with the McLarens before making a mistake and crashing into Lewis Hamilton while trying to take the lead.

Hulkenberg's pace in the wet is no accident - he has pace and flair in abundance. Great things seem to lie in store.