Hulkenberg says goodbye to Haas and moves to Audi

Audi has chosen: Hulkenberg will be the first of the team’s two drivers in 2026, who will leave Haas at the end of the season.

From rumors to reality. Nico Hulkenberg will say goodbye to his team, Haas, at the end of 2024 to be an Audi driver. He will still drive under the name “Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber” for 2025, then become a driver for the German team. after entering the following year. Ayao Komatsu, Haas Team Principal, said: “I would like to express my gratitude to Nico for his contribution to the team. There are still many races this year, so we hope to continue to benefit from his contributions for the remainder of the 2024 season.”.

German driver for the German team

Nico Hulkenberg’s face not new for Sauber, as he was already the protagonist in 2013, along with Esteban Gutiérrez. Soon the former Alfa Romeo team will be taken over by the German manufacturer Audi, which wanted to prove itself for the first time. a “patriotic” pilot.. Hulkenberg is in his eleventh season as an official Formula 1 driver, and has raced for four different teams. However German leaves a sad record: the most number of Grands Prix contested in a top category without achieving a podium.

With his arrival at Audi, the number 27 driver will definitely want to try to break this terrible “curse”. These are his words: “The prospect of competing for Audi it is something very special. When a German manufacturer enters Formula 1 with such determination, it is a unique opportunity. Representing the official brand team of such a car, with a power train produced in Germany, is for me great respect“.

Andreas Seidl then speaks, CEO of Sauber Motorsport AG and the incoming German team, who comment enthusiastically on the return of the “Hulk” to Sauber. “We are very happy to welcome Nico here in Hinwil from 2025 and compete with him in Formula 1. With his speed, his experience and his commitment, it will be great. an important part of evolution of our team and the Audi F1 project. From the beginning there was a strong shared interest in building something long-term together. Nico he is a strong manand his contribution will help us make progress in the development of the car and in building the team.”.