Last week, it was announced that Niko Hulkenberg would be leaving Haas. He would be joining Audi-Sauber for next season.
Audi
Earlier in the year, Audi bought Sauber for an estimated $450 million. The new brand will take over in the 2026 season and beyond. The German company was determined to make an F1 comeback and a splash all at once. Audi had their eyes set on two drivers for their lineup: Hulkenberg and current Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz. They get the first 50%, now they just need the second half.
Nico Hulkenberg
Nico Hulkenberg, the 36-year-old German, may finally be with a competing team. Hulkenberg really hasn’t been in a car that could compete for the top spot on the podium. He’s driven for Williams, Force India, Racing Point, Sauber, and of course, Haas. Hulkenberg also found himself a reserve driver for Mercedes and Aston Martin in 2021 and 2022. He had his best WDC position in 2018, scoring 69 points for Renault and finishing seventh. Nico had 96 points with Force India a decade ago, which would mark his best points finish. But he finished ninth. Last season, he only scored nine points, coming in at 16th place in the Drivers’ Championship with Haas. This season, in a stronger Haas car, he already has six points. He scored two points in the Sprint Race this afternoon.
Hulkenberg hasn’t won in Formula One. However, he’s won the Le Mans 24 Hours race for Porsche. With Hulkenberg searching for his first podium finish, going to Audi-Sauber could be a very good move for him. It could possibly secure him his first podium. Hulkenberg has a lot of potential and definitely has a podium and even a race win in him.
Audi, as a German team, wanted a German driver, and they got it.
Carlos Sainz
This may pressure Carlos Sainz even more to make a decision on where he’s going to drive next season. The drivers’ market is moving, and even though he’s one of the best drivers available, big-name teams like Red Bull and Audi are going to want an answer sooner rather than later. Last year, Sainz had 200 points and finished in fifth place in the Drivers’ Championship. Ferrari chose Charles Leclerc and current Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton for next year over him.
Who will be Audi’s second half? Sainz seems to be the favorite, but it seems to be slipping away a little. Time is ticking, and Sainz will have to make a decision soon.
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