German driver Nico Hulkenberg has secured a significant career move, as announced on Friday.
He will join Sauber for the upcoming season and then transition to the Audi works Formula One team from 2026 onward, under a multi-year contract.
At present, Hulkenberg, aged 36, currently drives with Haas.
However, Haas confirmed his departure at the end of the ongoing campaign.
Speculation suggests that Ferrari-backed British teenager Oliver Bearman could replace him.
In 2026, Sauber will transform into the Audi factory team. Hulkenberg expressed his enthusiasm about the prospect of racing for Audi, emphasising the unique opportunity presented when a German manufacturer enters Formula One with determination.
He previously raced for Sauber in 2013 and sees representing the factory team of a German car brand, particularly with a domestically manufactured power unit, as a great honor.
Andreas Seidl, CEO of Sauber Motorsport and future Audi team boss, praised Hulkenberg’s role in the team’s transformation and Audi’s F1 project.
He highlighted Hulkenberg’s strong personality and anticipates his contributions to both car development and team building.
This season, Hulkenberg has contributed significantly to Haas’s performance, securing four of their five points alongside Danish teammate Kevin Magnussen.
Despite his achievements, Hulkenberg remains without a podium finish in his Formula One career spanning 208 races. His return to Formula One in 2023, after three years without a regular drive, marks his determination to change this record.
Ayao Komatsu, Haas team boss, expressed gratitude to Hulkenberg for his contributions during his time with the team.
He acknowledged Hulkenberg’s role as a valuable team player and praised his experience and feedback, which have aided in improving the team’s overall performance.
Komatsu emphasised the importance of Hulkenberg’s inputs for the remainder of the 2024 season.
Nico Hulkenberg’s move to Sauber and subsequently to the Audi works Formula One team signifies a significant step in his career.
His experience and skills are expected to contribute to both teams’ success, while his ambition to secure his first podium finish adds an extra dimension to his upcoming challenges.
Main Image: By Lukas Raich – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=133977068
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