Nico Hülkenberg brings experience from more than 200 races in F1 since 2010, although he holds the record for the driver who has started the most races without ever finishing in the top three.
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Hinwil: Formula 1 driver Nico Hülkenberg will leave Haas for Sauber at the end of the year, giving the team a German presence on the grid when it rebrands as Audi for 2026. Hülkenberg, 36, will leave Haas after two years, the two teams said Friday. Although the Haas car is largely uncompetitive, Hülkenberg edged teammate Kevin Magnussen in points last season and is ahead of the Danish driver after five races this year.
German carmaker Audi reached an agreement for the full takeover of Swiss-based Sauber last month and plans to deploy a full working team from 2026. Hülkenberg will be “an important part” in this process and closely involved in the development of the 2026 car, Sauber said in a statement.
*Hülkenberg has been added to the group chat* 💬 💚
We are delighted to announce that Nico Hülkenberg will join Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber for the 2025 season. pic.twitter.com/1DLNcBBL8j
– Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber (@stakef1team_ks) April 26, 2024
Hülkenberg brings experience from more than 200 races in F1 since 2010, although he holds the record for the driver who has started the most races without ever finishing in the top three.
As the only German on the grid, Hülkenberg could also be a good marketing choice for Audi. He previously drove for Sauber in 2013.
“The prospect of competing for Audi is something very special,” Hülkenberg said in a statement. “When a German manufacturer enters Formula 1 with such determination, it is a unique opportunity. Representing the factory team of such a car brand with a power unit made in Germany is a great honor for me.
The move from Haas to Sauber will reunite Hulkenberg with Sauber chief executive Andreas Seidl, who was team principal at Porsche when Hulkenberg won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2015.
