Nico Hulkenberg is set to join Sauber, also known as Stake F1 Team, located in Hinwill, Switzerland, in the upcoming season. This move comes as Sauber prepares for the full Audi takeover in 2026 for their rookie F1 campaign. Andreas Seidl, the CEO of the future Audi F1 factory team, expressed his excitement about the signing, stating that Hulkenberg’s speed, experience, and teamwork will be valuable assets for Audi’s entry into Formula 1 next year.
Seidl emphasized the mutual interest between Hulkenberg and Audi in embarking on this unique project together. He praised Hulkenberg’s strong personality, determination, and dedication, which will contribute to the development of the car and the establishment of the team. Seidl and Hulkenberg have previously worked together during their successful stint at Le Mans, with Seidl as the Porsche WEC boss and Hulkenberg as a guest driver.
Hulkenberg, who sat out the 2011, 2020, 2021, and 2022 seasons, will be entering his 12th full season in F1 when he dons the Audi colors in 2026. He had four starts as a substitute for Racing Point and Aston Martin during his time on the sidelines. Hulkenberg expressed his excitement about the opportunity to compete for Audi, describing it as a special and unique opportunity. Representing a German manufacturer in Formula 1 and being part of a factory team with a German-made power unit is an honor for him.
The press release also mentioned that Hulkenberg’s appointment aligns with the plan to fully acquire Sauber, as announced in March. Oliver Hoffmann has been appointed as the General Representative of the Board of Management of Audi for their Formula 1 commitment. Hoffmann will also chair the boards of directors of all Sauber companies and the shareholders’ meeting of Audi Formula Racing GmbH, responsible for power unit development at the Neuburg site.
Audi’s second driver’s identity is still a mystery, although there have been rumors linking Carlos Sainz to the project ever since it was announced. The speculation grew stronger when Seidl was appointed as the project’s boss. Sainz and Seidl previously worked together at McLaren. However, as of now, the seat remains unfilled.
Similarly, the seat at Haas, which was vacated by Hulkenberg, is also up in the air. The prevailing belief is that Ferrari will pay to have Oliver Bearman in the car. Kevin Magnussen, who currently occupies the second car, has been underwhelming and his contract expires at the end of the season. It remains uncertain whether Gene Haas wants to bring in two new drivers, one of whom would be a rookie.
In a separate press release, Haas F1 team principal Ayao Komatsu confirmed Hulkenberg’s departure and expressed gratitude for his contributions to the team. Komatsu praised Hulkenberg’s role as a team player and highlighted the value of his experience and feedback in improving the overall performance of the VF-24 this season. Komatsu also mentioned that they look forward to benefiting from Hulkenberg’s inputs for the remainder of the 2024 season.
Hulkenberg has participated in 200 Grand Prix races throughout his Formula 1 career, which began with Williams at the 2010 Bahrain Grand Prix. However, despite his extensive experience, he has never achieved a podium finish in a Grand Prix.