“Nico’s feedback and experience was invaluable to us”comments team principal Ayao Komatsu. “This has helped us enormously to improve our performance both in qualifying and in the race. We see it very clearly this season with the progress made by our VF-24.”
The sirens of Ingolstadt
Hülkenberg was subsequently announced at Sauber from 2025. This means that the German will lead the Audi project, the advent of which will take place in 2026.
“With his speed, experience and teamwork recognized by all, Nico will be a pillar of the transformation of our team and the Audi project”confirms Andreas Seidl, CEO of Sauber Group. “From the beginning, there was a common interest in building something together in the long term. With his personal/professional investment and his strong personality, Nico will help us progress in the development of the car and our team.”
Carlos Sainz is expected to join him, but the Spaniard is also eyeing Red Bull and Mercedes who offer him better sporting guarantees but a lower salary. Haas, for its part, should replace Hülkenberg with Ollie Bearman, the Ferrari protégé having shone by replacing Sainz at the last minute during the Saudi Arabian GP.
