The pilots’ dance has begun. Nico Hulkenberg leaves Haas at the end of the year to join the Sauber, which will become Audi, in 2026. A German in a German car. With a multi-year contract. Now it will be a question of understanding whether too Carlos Sainz, “fired” by Ferrari, he will board the 4-ring team which has big plans for the future. The Spaniard would have been made a significant offer which Red Bull, interested in Sainz, said it could not match. Carlos, who would like to define his future in a reasonable time and taking advantage of his competitive form which was excellent until before Shanghai, is also trying to understand if he has a chance at Mercedes to replace Lewis Hamilton, who will take the road to Maranello in his place in 2025, to race alongside George Russell. Even if the boss, Toto Wolff, above all would like that slot occupied by Max Verstappen.
Meanwhile, one of the first pieces on a chessboard that will be very eventful at the end of the year (12 drivers expiring, Fernando Alonso has renewed with Aston Martin), has moved. Hulkenberg, 36 years old, over 200 GPs but never a podium, he returned to F1 in 2023 after leaving it in 2019 by leaving the then Racing Points, now Aston Martin. Called by the American manufacturer powered by Maranello to drive alongside Kevin Magnussen, Nico performed well and is doing so again this year: three points finishes in 5 races, he is 13th in the standings. At Sauber/Audi, Hulkenberg will reunite with his former boss when he won at Le Mans in 2015 with Porsche: the German Andreas Seidl, CEO of Sauber and the future Audi, who comments: “We are very happy to welcome Nico here in Hinwil from 2025 and to compete with him in Formula 1. With his speed, his experience and his commitment to teamwork, he will be an important part of the transformation of our team and Audi’s F1 project. From the beginning there was a great mutual interest in building something long-term together. Nico is a strong personality and his contribution, on a professional and personal level, will help us make progress both in the development of the car and in building the team.”
It’s a bit of a return to home and country for Nico: “I return to the team I worked with in 2013 and I have fond memories of the strong team spirit in Switzerland. The prospect of competing for Audi is something very special. When a German manufacturer enters Formula 1 with such determination, it is a unique opportunity. Representing the official team of such a car brand with an engine produced in Germany is a great honor for me.” Off to the dancing.
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– 2024-05-12 13:56:09
