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2024-04-26 12:57:55
The Formula 1 It already has a hook thrown into the sea of attention for the 2026 season, because starting from that year, one of the teams will bear the name of the powerful German car brand. Audi. The firm has already started working under the current umbrella Sauber and announced in the last few hours what his first pilot in this new project will be: Nico Hulkenberg.
The corridor to 36 years will start from 2025 Haaswhich had allowed him to return to the maximum in 2023 to occupy the seat as Until then it was owned by Mick Schumacher. The German driver had his first experience at Máxima in 2010 and since then has worn the kits of Williams, Force India, Sauber, Renault, Racing Point, Aston Martin and the aforementioned Haas.
In 2025, for one season, it will have the colors of the team currently called, for commercial reasons, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber. But a year later he will be one of the figures of the car company in his country, which In 2022, he had already confirmed that he would join Formula 1. In the announcement made by the entity in the last few hours, it is clear that Nico will be decisive in the formation of the car that will be launched on the track in two years: “The German pilot signed a multi-year contract and in 2026 he will become the first driver of Audi’s entry into the top category of motorsport. With experience in over 200 F1 races, Nico is an important piece for the successful and continued development of the team. In parallel with his commitments to Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber in the 2025 season, he will be closely involved in the development of Audi’s first F1 car for 2026.″.
“The prospect of racing for 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 a car brand with a German-made engine is a great honor for me.” Hülkenberg acknowledged.
“We are very happy to welcome Nico here at Hinwil from 2025 and compete with him in Formula 1. With his speed, his experience and his commitment to teamwork, he will be an important part of the transformation of our team and the Audi F1 project . From the start, there was great mutual interest in building something long-term together.. “Nico has a strong personality and his contribution, on a professional and personal level, will help us progress both in the development of the car and in the construction of the team”, praised the CEO of Sauber, who will lead the Audi F1 factory of the future, Andreas Seidl .
Although he will continue this year in the car of the North American firm Haas, the boss of that team also sent him a farewell message: “I would like to thank Nico for his contribution to the team. There are many more races left this year, so we hope to continue to benefit from their contribution for the rest of the 2024 season, said the Japanese Ayao Komatsu, who in January this year took over from the historic Guenther Steiner, who remained at helmed Haas for a decade.
All anticipation is now focused on two specific events: the next driver that Audi will announce and Hülkenberg’s replacement at Haas. In the first case, various media in the motoring world take it for granted the signature of the Spanish Carlos Sainz Jr., who leaves his seat at Ferrari to Lewis Hamilton from 2025. In the other case, there are still no firm rumors about his replacement. In any case, it must be taken into account that with the arrival of Nico to Sauber, the Chinese Zhou Guanyu and the Finnish one Valtteri Bottas They know that at least one of them must leave their place.
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