German driver Nico Hülkenberg will be leaving the Haas Formula 1 team at the end of this season. The 36-year-old is set to join Stake F1/Sauber, which will become Audi’s factory team starting from 2026.
Hülkenberg made a comeback to Formula 1 with Haas in 2023 after a three-year hiatus. He currently ranks thirteenth in the World Championship standings, with three top-10 finishes in the first five races of the season.
Reportedly, Nico Hülkenberg has signed a multi-year contract with Stake F1/Sauber, believed to be for three years. With the impending takeover by German company Audi in 2026, Sauber is an attractive project for any driver. Hülkenberg, with his German passport, has an edge over the competition. He is Audi’s first acquisition for the prestigious F1 project. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) is reportedly being considered for the second seat.
Welcome Back to Hinwil: Nico Hülkenberg Returns to Formula 1 with Sauber in 2025
“We are very pleased to welcome Nico back to Hinwil from 2025 and to race with him in Formula 1. With his speed, experience, and dedication to teamwork, he will be an integral part of our team’s transformation and Audi’s F1 project,” says Andreas Seidl, team boss of Sauber, on the transfer of the Haas driver.
Hülkenberg: ‘A Great Honor’
Seidl: “From the beginning, there was a strong mutual interest in building something long-term together. Nico is a strong personality and his contribution, both professionally and personally, will help us make progress in both the development of the car and the building of the team.”
Hulkenberg is also looking forward to the period after Haas and the renewed collaboration with Sauber. “I am returning to the team with which I worked in 2013 and have good memories of the strong team spirit in Switzerland. The prospect of Audi is something very special. When a German manufacturer enters Formula 1 with such determination, it is a unique opportunity. To represent the factory team of such a car brand with a power source made in Germany is a great honor for me.”
Komatsu: ‘Great Team Player’
Ayao Komatsu, the Japanese team boss of Haas, thanked Nico Hülkenberg in an official team statement for the collaboration. “Nico is a great team player. His experience and feedback have proven invaluable to us in improving our overall performance. This is a fact that is clearly reflected in both his qualifying and race performances this season. There are still many races to go this year. We look forward to continuing to benefit from his input for the rest of the 2024 season,” says Komatsu.
