Nico Hulkenberg has been announced as the first driver signing for Audi’s upcoming Formula 1 team. Audi, which will take over Sauber and develop its own F1 engine, plans to enter as a manufacturer in 2026. However, it is eager to have its own drivers in place for next year, potentially replacing current Sauber drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu. While Audi has been pursuing Carlos Sainz, it cannot secure him until he knows if any seats at top teams become available in 2025. As a result, Audi has secured Hulkenberg, who was also sought after by other teams like Williams and Alpine.
Hulkenberg had previously been approached by Sauber CEO Andreas Seidl, who will lead Audi’s F1 team in 2026, for the 2024 season. However, Hulkenberg’s contract with Haas prevented the move. With no such obstacle for 2025, Sauber/Audi moved quickly to secure Hulkenberg, knowing he was also of interest to other teams. Haas announced Hulkenberg’s departure at the end of 2024, and soon after, it was confirmed that he had signed a multi-year contract with Audi starting in 2025. He will play a significant role in the development of Audi’s first F1 car and will return to a team he previously drove for in 2013.
This move marks Hulkenberg’s return to a works team since being dropped by Renault at the end of 2019. Despite being without a full-time F1 drive for three seasons, Hulkenberg showcased his talent with impressive performances as a stand-in for Racing Point/Aston Martin before returning to the grid with Haas in 2023. In 2024, he continued to demonstrate his speed and racecraft in a more competitive Haas car. However, Haas could not match Audi’s resources and long-term prospects, making Hulkenberg’s switch to Audi seem inevitable.
When Hulkenberg left the paddock after the 2019 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, he was unsure if he would ever return to Formula 1. The idea that he would become one of the most sought-after free agents for the 2025 season and join a works project seemed like a fantasy. However, that is exactly where he finds himself now.
Haas undoubtedly would have wanted to retain Hulkenberg, considering he fulfilled his role perfectly. Despite facing criticism for replacing Mick Schumacher with the more experienced Hulkenberg in 2023, former team principal Guenther Steiner made a calculated decision. Hulkenberg provided speed, experience, and likely came at an affordable price since Haas was the only team interested in his services.
It was widely known that the Audi/Sauber team was interested in Hulkenberg and even considered signing him for 2024 when Zhou Guanyu’s future was uncertain. However, Hulkenberg’s existing contract with Haas prevented the move. Nevertheless, Audi’s genuine interest in Hulkenberg persisted, even as they wait for their primary target, Carlos Sainz.
Hulkenberg’s performances in the more competitive Haas car in 2024, where he achieved his 101st points finish in F1 with a 10th place in China, demonstrated his ability to effectively contribute to a team in the midfield. As points are crucial for teams’ financial success, Hulkenberg’s consistent performance makes him a reliable but perhaps underrated asset.