Hulkenberg Targets Le Mans Return After Force India Deal
Nico Hulkenberg, fresh from a new two-year Formula One contract with Force India, has signalled his intent to defend his Le Mans crown with Porsche in 2016.
Nico Hulkenberg, the 2015 Le Mans 24 Hours winner with Porsche, has confirmed he is seeking a return to the event in 2016 to defend his title. The German driver, who has just agreed a new two-year deal to remain with Force India in Formula One, said there is no obvious reason why he could not combine both programmes again next year.
Hulkenberg’s maiden Le Mans outing saw him join Porsche’s LMP1 line-up alongside Nick Tandy and Earl Bamber, taking an outright victory in June 2015. At the time, his participation was possible due to a break in the Formula One calendar, and the agreement of Force India principal Vijay Mallya. Hulkenberg has indicated he intends to open discussions with Porsche soon regarding a 2016 campaign.
Formula One and Le Mans: Managing Schedules
Force India’s willingness to allow Hulkenberg to race at Le Mans was seen as unusual in Formula One, where teams typically restrict drivers from parallel racing commitments. Hulkenberg’s new contract does not publicly rule out a repeat arrangement, and he has publicly stated his enthusiasm for a title defence. The 2016 Formula One calendar is yet to be finalised, but a non-clashing date with Le Mans would be required for any return.
