The Haas F1 team has announced that Nico Hülkenberg will leave them at the end of this season. This opens the way to Audi.
The German press already announced on Wednesday that Nico Hülkenberg will sign with the Audi team, Sauber. After this, Haas announced on Friday that their driver will leave them at the end of the season. “MoneyGram Haas F1 Team and Nico Hülkenberg part ways with the end of the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship” the team announced.
Hülkenberg restarted his Formula 1 career last year after a three-year break thanks to the opportunity he received from the Americans. He replaced the German Mick Schumacher. In the past year or so, he contributed a lot to the development of the team, and with his performance on the track and his qualifying performances, he convinced everyone that he belongs in F1.
The 36-year-old has already scored three points for Haas this year, most recently at last Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix.
“I would like to express my gratitude to Nico for everything he has done for the team during his time with us” said team leader Komacu Ajo. “He was a great team player and a pleasure to work with. His experience and feedback proved to be invaluable in terms of improving our overall performance. This fact is also confirmed by the time trial and competition performance of the VF-24.”
“There are many races left this year and we want to continue to benefit from your feedback for the rest of the 2024 season” said the Japanese specialist.
Nico Hülkenberg (Photo: Haas/LAT)
Soon after Haas’ announcement, it became official that Hülkenberg’s new team would be Sauber. The team currently running under the name Stake F1 Team will compete with the German in the championship from 2025.
The announcement of the Swiss stable mentions a contract for several years, which is in line with the preliminary news. According to the press, Audi has offered Hülkenberg a deal for a total of three years.
“The German driver has signed a multi-year deal and in 2026 he will be the first driver for Audi to enter the top category of motorsport. With his F1 experience of more than 200 races, Nico is an important building block for the successful development of our team. In parallel with Stake F1 Team Kick’s commitment to Sauber in 2025, it will also actively participate in the development of Audi’s first F1 car in 2026”
Sauber announced.
Hülkenberg has raced with Sauber once before, completing a season together in 2013 before signing with Force India.
“I am very happy that I can welcome Nico back to Hinwil from 2025 and that we can compete with him in Formula 1” – said Andreas Sedil, managing director of Sauber, who already worked with his compatriot at Porsche, in 2015 they also won the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. “His speed, experience and commitment to teamwork will be important to the team during the transition period and to Audi’s F1 project.”
Nico Hülkenberg (Photo: Sauber)
According to the news, Sauber already wanted to get Hülkenberg last year, but since he signed a two-year contract with Haas, this was not possible.
“From the very first moment, we had the common intention that we wanted to build something big together in the long term. Nico is a strong personality and his feedback – both professionally and personally – will help both the development of the car and the structure of the team”
Seidl emphasized.
Hülkenberg only spoke in Sauber’s statement and indicated that he is excited about the new chapter of his career. “I’m going back to the team I worked with in 2013 and who remain in my memory as a strong Swiss team” Hulkenberg said.
“It will be quite special to be able to compete with Audi. When a German manufacturer enters Formula 1 with such determination, it is a special opportunity. It is a great honor for me to be able to represent the factory team of such a car brand with a power unit made in Germany.”
One of the Sauber and Audi seats has therefore been sold. for 2025 and 2026. This also means that at least one of the team’s two current riders will have to go. According to the news, neither Valtteri Bottas nor Chou Kuan-yue will stay with the team, whose other chosen one could be Carlos Sainz. The Spaniard was reportedly given a reprieve until mid-May to make a decision. If he says no to them, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly are also interested.
In the meantime, a seat will surely become available at Haas. Kevin Magnussen’s contract also expires at the end of the year, but he may have a chance for an extension. Ferrari’s talent, Oliver Bearman, was brought into the news earlier with the Americans.
