After confirming the farewell to Haas at the end of the season, Sauber has formalized the arrival of Nico Hulkenberg in the team starting from 2025 with a multi-year contract, thus becoming the first driver to sign for what will be the Audi cycle in 2026, when the German brand will officially enter F1.
In fact, although behind the scenes the Ingolstadt company is working hard both to develop its PU and to strengthen the structures in Hinwil with important investments, in 2025 the team will continue to race under the Sauber banner.
For Hulkenberg this is a return, because already in 2013 he had raced for the colors of the Swiss team, also achieving outstanding results which led him to attract the attention of the top teams. However, it is clear that the German will not return to Sauber to reunite with that past, but rather with what awaits Sauber in the future, namely the move to Audi in 2026.
For Nico Hulkenberg it is a return to Sauber, given that he raced with the Swiss team in 2013
Photo credit: Sutton Images
“I return to the team I worked with in 2013 and I have fond memories of the strong team spirit that can be felt in Switzerland,” explained Hulkenberg when his move was made official, before focusing on the future of the team.
“The prospect of racing 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 a car brand of this type with a Power Unit produced in Germany is a great honor for me.”
That Hulkenberg was on the list of candidates for the Ingolstadt brand had been known for some time, also because Andreas Seidl already had the opportunity to work with the German during his short, but fruitful, experience at Porsche in 2015, where he achieved victory in the 24h of Le Mans. In that period, Seild was the Team Principal of the Weissach team, while Hulkenberg decided to combine his Formula 1 program with Force India with that in prototypes, even if his experience ended after only two races, with success in one of the most prestigious races in the world.
We are very happy to welcome Nico here in Hinwil from 2025 and to compete with him in Formula 1,” commented Seidl.
Andreas Seidl, CEO of Stake F1 Team
Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
“With his speed, his experience and his commitment to teamwork, he will be an important part of the transformation of our team and the Audi project in F1. 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 progress both in the development of the car and in building the team.”
With Hulkenberg, Audi has secured a solid and highly experienced driver, who over the years has shown that he can be a point of reference for a team. After having had to abandon F1 on two occasions, namely after being dropped by Williams at the end of 2010 and by Renault at the end of the 2019 season, the German is extending his career in the top series: after his return to Haas, now a new opportunities at Audi, for which he signed a multi-year contract.
Who will join him at Sauber from next year, however, is yet to be decided. It is also known that Audi has made an offer to Carlos Sainz, but the Spaniard is still evaluating his options, as there are other potential vacancies in the top Formula 1 teams.
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