F1: Nico Hulkenberg Secures Multi-Year Deal with Audi, Set to Leave Haas at the End of 2024

Nico Hulkenberg is about to start a new part of his Formula 1 career when he joins the Sauber team for the 2025 season, which will become Audi in 2025. Hulkenberg will leave his current team, Haas, at the end of the 2024 season. There has been a lot of talk about the 36-year-old's possible move, especially since he is one of the candidates that Audi F1 CEO Andreas Seidl is considering. Also, Hulkenberg's deal at Haas is ending soon, which makes the time perfect for his next project. While Hinwil is becoming part of Audi, Hulkenberg returning to Sauber feels like a reunion.

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu said: “I’d like to extend my thanks to Nico for his contributions to the team in the time that he’s been here with us – he’s been a great team player and someone we very much enjoy working with. His experience and feedback have proved invaluable to us in terms of improving our overall performance – a fact that’s clearly evident in both his qualifying and race performances in the VF-24 this season. There’s lots more racing to go this year so we look forward to continuing to benefit from his inputs throughout the remainder of the 2024 season.”

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F1: Hulkenberg and Audi

The former Renault driver is making an impressive return to a works team under the new Audi agreement. Seidl and Hulkenberg used to work together at Porsche's WEC team. They won the 2015 Le Mans 24 Hours together in Hulkenberg's cameo for the Weissach team, where Seidl was the team principal.

Furthermore, Audi has reportedly approached Carlos Sainz, who is currently not with Ferrari, with an offer to join Nico Hulkenberg on the team next season. However, Sainz is weighing his options, noting that there are other possible openings at the top teams in Formula One. 

Nico Hülkenberg says: “The prospect of competing for Audi is something very special. When a German manufacturer enters Formula 1 with such determination, it’s a unique opportunity. To represent the factory team of such a car brand with a power unit made in Germany is a great honour for me.”

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Persistent pitstop troubles have hurt Sauber's performance in the early races of the 2024 season, making the hunt for points even more difficult. Meanwhile, Audi is diligently working behind the scenes, gearing up to present an enhanced package for the forthcoming overhaul of regulations slated for 2026.