Seidl: Signing of Hulkenberg is next milestone for Audi F1 project

Friday, 26 April 2024 at 15:07

Audi hit a significant "milestone" as their first foray into Formula 1 fast approaches, by signing veteran Nico Hulkenberg to a multi-year contract including the first year of the German manufacturer's entry into the top flight, starting in 2026.

Hulkenberg will be joining Sauber (aka Stake F1 Team) based in Hinwill, Switzerland, starting next season as they mark time, as they have done this year, ahead of the full Audi takeover for their 'rookie' 2026 F1 campaign.

CEO of the future Audi F1 factory team, Andreas Seidl said in a statement: “The signing of Nico is the next milestone for Audi’s Formula 1 project. With his speed, experience and dedicated team work, he will make an important contribution to Audi’s entry in 2026 as early as next year.

"Right from the start, there was great mutual interest in tackling a project of this uniqueness together. Nico is a strong personality, his determination and desire on a professional and personal level will help us to make progress both in the development of the car and in building up the team," reasoned Seidl.

He and 36-year-old Hulkenberg worked together famously when the pair tackled Le Mans together, Seidl as Porsche WEC boss and Nico guesting for the team thanks to the weekend not clashing with his full-time F1 job with Racing Point.

Hulkenberg won Le Mans for Porsche with Seidl in charge

History shows that German driver Hulkenberg won the 2015 Le Mans 24-Hours sharing a Porsche 919 Hybrid with New Zealand duo Nick Tandy and Earl Bamber.

When he suits up in Audi colours in 2026, it will mark Hulkenberg's 12th full season in F1. He sat out 2011, 2020, 2021 and 2022; getting four starts as a substitute for Racing Point and Aston Martin during those last two years on the sidelines.

Hulkenberg said of his deal: “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.”

The press release adds that "the appointment of Nico Hülkenberg follows the plan announced in March to take over Sauber completely and the appointment of Oliver Hoffmann as General Representative of the Board of Management of Audi for the Formula 1 commitment.

"In this role, Hoffmann also chairs the boards of directors of all Sauber companies and the shareholders’ meeting of Audi Formula Racing GmbH, which is responsible for the development of the power unit at the Neuburg site."

Who will be teammate to The Hulk at Audi in 2026? Carlos Sainz?

The identity of Audi's second driver remains unknown, however, Carlos Sainz has been linked to the project since it was announced, and more so when Seidl was made boss of the project. The Spaniard and German worked together at McLaren. But for now that seat remains unfilled.

As does the one at Haas vacated by Hulkenberg. However, the smart money is that Ferrari will pay to have Oliver Bearman in the car. Kevin Magnussen has been underwhelming in the second car and is out of contract at the end of this season. It remains to be seen if Gene Haas wants two new drivers, one of them a rookie.

Haas F1 team principal, Ayao Komatsu, confirmed Hulkenberg's departure in a seprate press release: “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," added Komatsu.

Hulkenberg has made 200 GP starts in a F1 career that began with Williams at the 2010 Bahrain Grand Prix but has never celebrated on a Grand Prix podium.