Nico Hulkenberg offers long-time Max Verstappen relationship insight: 'We have huge respect'

Nico Hülkenberg has offered an insight into his long-standing relationship with Max Verstappen, which dates back almost 25 years.

The Audi driver and the four-time Formula 1 world champion first met as youngsters in karting, where they raced for the same team.

It is not just Verstappen that Hülkenberg is close to, as he also has a strong connection with the Dutchman's home country.

Hülkenberg grew up very close to the Dutch border in the German town of Emmerich and spent much of his karting career racing in the Netherlands.

The 38-year-old has even worn a special helmet for the Dutch Grand Prix in the past, in recognition of his strong connection to the country.

Discussing his connection with the Netherlands, Hülkenberg told RacingNews365 during an interview: "I do have a connection with the Netherlands, a strong one, dating back to the early days and my racing roots and beginnings. 

"That has always somehow stuck with me, and I feel there is, yeah, there's definitely a connection there."

Hulkenberg and Verstappen's relationship

Spending so much time in the Netherlands while growing up saw Hülkenberg meet Verstappen on the karting scene, to the extent that the pair were even part of the same racing team.

Due to their age difference, the pair did not race against each other in karting, although they spent plenty of time together in the paddock.

According to Hülkenberg, the pair share a strong bond, with him hugely impressed by what the 28-year-old has achieved.

Asked about his relationship with Verstappen, the F1 veteran explained: "Well, Max and I... we've known each other... let me think... I don't know how many years.

"20, 25 years, since our karting days, when we were both juniors. He was actually still really kind of very small, and we were in the same racing team and the same racing scene, so we go way back.

"I think we have huge respect for each other. Obviously, Max is an incredible talent who has achieved so much at such a young age. It's just very, very incredible what he did and what he's still doing."