The latest auto news, reviews, prices, product and vehicle releases. Mar
4th
Stay connected Subscribe to our RSS feed
Sebastien Blin is a professional journalist/photographer who travelled the karting circuits around the globe in the ‘90s and early 2000s. He got the chance to follow several young drivers who were making their debut in karting, such as Nico Hulkenberg.
Born on August 19, 1987, Hulkenberg has been involved in Formula 1 as a race driver or test driver since 2008 with teams Williams, Sauber, and Sahara Force India.
Blin met Hulkenberg on the karting circuits in 2001.
“Before he started racing cars in 2005 -- to compete in the German ADAC Formula BMW series -- Hulkenberg had already made a strong impression in karting,” said Blin.
“Despite his tender age, the young German did not hesitate to be part of the most impressive international karting team, CRG Holland. The team was directed by Michel Vacirca, and the engines were built by none other than former F1 driver, Jos Verstappen. Hulkenberg managed to build a strong team of experts to support him,” Blin continued.
Interestingly, the young “Hulk” was wearing spectacles at the time.
“Nico was a short kid at the time, and was quite the introvert. However, he was incredibly single-minded; you could see it in his eyes. He was very quiet and did not talk much to his entourage. Whatever the reason was for this behaviour -- strict discipline from his parents or an amazing ability to focus -- Hulk was a front runner in every karting category he raced in,” Blin continued.
“I followed him for three years, and I could feel that he had what it took to make it to the top. He was only 12 when he competed in the famous Paris-Bercy indoor karting race in 2001. He climbed on the podium with his good friend and rival, Sebastian Vettel. Despite the fact that Vettel beat him in the finale, young Nico couldn't stop smiling!” Blin recalled.
“Hulkenberg clinched the Italian Junior title in 2001 and 2002, and then captured the German title. However, he did enjoy the same success in international competition. Hulk won the Open Master in 2004, his last season in karting. The year after, he was off to car racing,” Blin concluded.
Born on August 19, 1987, Hulkenberg has been involved in Formula 1 as a race driver or test driver since 2008 with teams Williams, Sauber, and Sahara Force India.
 |
| Photo: Sébastien Blin |
Blin met Hulkenberg on the karting circuits in 2001.
“Before he started racing cars in 2005 -- to compete in the German ADAC Formula BMW series -- Hulkenberg had already made a strong impression in karting,” said Blin.
“Despite his tender age, the young German did not hesitate to be part of the most impressive international karting team, CRG Holland. The team was directed by Michel Vacirca, and the engines were built by none other than former F1 driver, Jos Verstappen. Hulkenberg managed to build a strong team of experts to support him,” Blin continued.
 |
| Photo: Sébastien Blin |
Interestingly, the young “Hulk” was wearing spectacles at the time.
“Nico was a short kid at the time, and was quite the introvert. However, he was incredibly single-minded; you could see it in his eyes. He was very quiet and did not talk much to his entourage. Whatever the reason was for this behaviour -- strict discipline from his parents or an amazing ability to focus -- Hulk was a front runner in every karting category he raced in,” Blin continued.
“I followed him for three years, and I could feel that he had what it took to make it to the top. He was only 12 when he competed in the famous Paris-Bercy indoor karting race in 2001. He climbed on the podium with his good friend and rival, Sebastian Vettel. Despite the fact that Vettel beat him in the finale, young Nico couldn't stop smiling!” Blin recalled.
 |
| Nico Hülkenberg and Sebastian Vettel. (Photo: Sébastien Blin) |
“Hulkenberg clinched the Italian Junior title in 2001 and 2002, and then captured the German title. However, he did enjoy the same success in international competition. Hulk won the Open Master in 2004, his last season in karting. The year after, he was off to car racing,” Blin concluded.
 |
| Photo: Sébastien Blin |
 |
| Photo: Sébastien Blin |