It takes a moment of brilliance to catch the attention of the Formula 1 hierarchy. Ironically for Nico Hulkenberg, that moment lends itself to an altogether different sphere of motorsport, the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
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His victory last weekend had been the talk of the drivers in the lead-up to the Austrian Grand Prix and the impressive nature of that victory cannot be underestimated.
Not since 1991 when Johnny Herbert and Bertrand Gachot were victorious has an active F1 driver won the prestigious race at the Circuit de la Sarthe, plus Porsche had not won the event since 1998.
In addition, it’s worth noting that Hulkenberg had done it in the least fancied of the Porsche 919 Hybrid entries alongside Nick Tandy and Earl Bamber, with the Force India driver having had just one endurance race in the year as a warm-up at Spa.
Yesssss…. It was not a dream! We did it! @NickTandyR @earlbamber @PorscheRaces pic.twitter.com/tPIu48zPT4
— Nico Hülkenberg (@NicoHulkenberg) June 15, 2015
While all were full of praise for the manner in which the German slotted in to play his part in the 395 laps covered, the skeptics suggested it would have an adverse effect on his F1 2015 ambitions so close to the Austrian Grand Prix.
An impressive sixth place at the Red Bull Ring says otherwise, his best result of the season and a superb weekend in which he had earlier qualified fifth, arguably flattering the Force India machinery at his disposal.
Hulkenberg was not arrogant enough to suggest he had easily slotted from one formula to another with ease.
Speaking on the eve of the Austrian Grand Prix, he admitted: “It took me quite a while to get back into the groove with this car after I had driven something else for quite a few laps.”
But quickly enough it was back to business and suddenly F1 peers who had previously deemed Le Mans too perilous were casting their eyes towards the 2016 edition.
It seems harsh that such a moment should have been needed to show that Hulkenberg, arguably F1’s most underrated driver, deserved to get a rare moment in the spotlight.
He’s had his moments previously, most notably with a stunning pole position at the 2010 Brazilian Grand Prix at the end of his rookie season in F1, a second quicker than Sebastian Vettel around Interlagos giving the Williams team its first pole for five years.
It merited an initial interest from Ferrari, who opted against taking what they thought was a gamble on Hulkenberg. The Maranello outfit had a second sniff at Hulkenberg before deciding on bringing back Kimi Raikkonen to the team for 2014.
At that same point, rumours began to circulate that Hulkenberg was on the cusp of moving to Lotus – when they were still a front-running force – only to lose out because of Pastor Maldonado’s multi-million pound backing.
While the missed Lotus opportunity may have actually been a blessing in disguise, Hulkenberg has never quite had the chance to prove himself during a six-year career in F1 with the midfield markers.
It has given him little chance to produce what he is capable of, bar his Le Mans effort and that stunning pole five years ago, but he has consistently got the better of his teammates.
He has regularly outscored them come the season’s end except for that rookie year when he had the experienced Rubens Barrichello alongside him.
Great result for @NicoHulkenberg, who finishes in 6th place after a brilliant race and some exciting battles! #AustrianGP #FeelTheForce
— Sahara Force India (@ForceIndiaF1) June 21, 2015
So why exactly have the big teams not come calling?
Well, firstly there is that aspect that money talks in F1 and he doesn’t bring any of the financial clout of many of his peers, just his raw talent.
Then there is his size. At six feet, he is one of the tallest and hence heaviest drivers, and that is thought to have been the eventual stumbling block with Ferrari on the two occasions they mulled over offering him a contract.
That seems more than a little unfair. One only needs to cast an eye over Hulkenberg’s pre-F1 career to show his capabilities.
A star karter in his youth, he dominated the Formula BMW Championship, blitzed A1 Grand Prix and then won the Formula 3 Euroseries title.
Management lesson from #ForceIndia – be flexible, back your best to perform outside & they’ll perform well for you as well! #nicohulkenburg
— Shreyas B R (@brshreyastweet) June 20, 2015
So what chance of a place at the top table and a change of team next season?
The issue is that the options are limited. Of the leading teams, only Ferrari and Williams might have an inkling of a space next season if it is thought that either Felipe Massa or Raikkonen are deemed too old for the job.
On the basis of Massa’s podium in Austria, the former seems less likely. It might be Ferrari are finally willing to take a chance on Hulkenberg and give him his big break at the age of 27.
Let’s hope so because it seems unjust that a talent such as his is consigned to the midfield for the rest of his career.
