Renault Sport Formula One announces that Nico Hulkenberg will join the team from 2017 in a multi year deal.

Renault Sport Formula One Team is proud to announce that Nico Hülkenberg will join the team for 2017 as part of a multi-year deal.

Twenty-nine year-old Nico has raced in 111 Formula 1 Grands Prix since making his debut in 2010. 

Nico’s motorsport CV includes a Formula 1 pole position in his debut season, winning the GP2 Series at his first attempt as well as victory in his first Le Mans 24 Hours. Currently driving for Force India, Nico has previously raced for Williams and Sauber in Formula 1.

Jérôme Stoll, Renault Sport Racing Chairman:

“2017 will be the second season of Groupe Renault’s return as a manufacturer entry in Formula 1 and the next step in our journey. This season has been about putting the foundations in place for future success. For our next step we required an experienced driver who is still hungry for podiums. Nico Hülkenberg fulfils this role perfectly and is an excellent complement to what we want to achieve. He is a highly talented, dedicated and motivated driver. Nico will enable us to harness all the hard work completed this season and translate it to improved results on track in 2017 and beyond. We look forward to seeing him in our new car for 2017.”

Nico Hülkenberg:

“I’m very happy to join Renault Sport Formula One Team in 2017. Renault has always been a big player in the motorsport world that brings up incredible memories: in his stint at Renault, Michael Schumacher not only made Germany an F1 nation, he also sparked my enthusiasm and fire for racing. As a part of the Renault family, I want to develop the car and write new success stories.

“It has always been my dream to work for a manufacturer team. F1’s new regulations will change the game and give our team a good opportunity. In the years to come, Renault will play a challenger role, which fits my approach to racing 100%. I can’t wait to become part of the family.

“For the remaining races this year, I will give my best for Force India to reach fourth place in the constructors’ championship. This would be a great achievement for the whole Force India team, the biggest success in its history and a great end to a fantastic time there.

“I am grateful that Force India has given me the chance to take up this new opportunity.”

The awesome VUHL 05RR gets it's first ever reveal at this years Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The VUHL 05, which is now on sale in the UK, is about to meet its lighter, faster, track-focused younger brother at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2016.

Part of the new category, Race Cars for the Road, within the Michelin Supercar Paddock at the Festival of Speed, the new VUHL 05RR will be revealed for the first time and driven up the famed Goodwood Hillclimb by UK rising star GP2 driver and Formula 1 test driver, Jordan King.

Iker Echeverria, VUHL Technical Director, said: “I am so looking forward to returning to the Goodwood Festival of Speed this year, with our new 05RR car. We have upgraded all the car’s systems to make it faster, more engaging and even more track focused. We feel very close to the UK market, as around 50% of our componentry is developed and produced in Britain, and it is the place we debuted our first car.”

The new 05RR is the result of extensive track development of the 05, combined with aggressive mass reduction and aero programmes and the sourcing of top quality components specified in collaboration with partner suppliers’ engineering teams.

The 05RR will be positioned above the standard VUHL 05 as the choice of the true track and performance enthusiast.  Still road legal, the 05RR retains a number of comfort options to ensure enjoyable and useable on-road performance.

More information will be released from the Goodwood Festival of Speed, which takes place from 23-26 June 2016.

VUHL cars are sold in the UK through Bespoke Performance (www.bespokeperformance.co.uk) based in Ware, Hertfordshire – who will be supporting VUHL and welcoming visitors across the four days of the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2016.