On Friday, April 26, the Kick Sauber social media handles announced that Nico Hulkenberg would leave Haas to move to Sauber in 2024.
*Hülkenberg has been added to the group chat* 💬 💚
We're excited to announce 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
Hulkenberg had joined forces with Haas in 2023 after being absent for three years as a full-time Formula 1 driver.
The news is been confirmed that the German will leave the American F1 team and make his way to Sauber at the end of the 2024 season.
Hulkenberg signed a multi-year contract to drive for Sauber in 2025, after which the German manufacturer Audi will take over the team for the 2026 season and beyond.
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Andrea Seidl (CEO of AUDI F1) had reportedly been keeping a close eye on the 36-year-old for quite some time.
Let’s delve deeper to know how Hulkenberg’s deal unfolded. What prompted him to switch seats for the upcoming Formula 1 season?
What Led Nico Hulkenberg to Join Sauber for 2025 and Beyond?
In the statement released on Friday, Hulkenberg expressed, “The prospect of competing for Audi is something very special. Moreover, when a German manufacturer enters Formula One with such determination, it is a unique opportunity.”
“To represent the factory team of such a car brand with a power unit made in Germany is a great honor for me.”
Hulkenberg raced for Sauber in 2013 and competed for Williams, Force India, Renault, Racing Point, and Aston Martin during his career.
In over 200 F1 races, Hulkenberg hasn’t secured a podium. However, he did claim pole position at the 2010 Brazilian Grand Prix with Williams.
Sauber chief executive Andreas Seidl commented, “We are very pleased to welcome Nico back here in Hinwil from 2025. Furthermore, we’re excited to compete with him in Formula One.”
“With his speed, his experience, and his commitment to teamwork, he will be an important part of the transformation of our team – and of Audi’s F1 project”.
After three seasons with Renault, Hulkenberg lost his seat in 2020. He then assumed a reserve driver role with Racing Point, which later became Aston Martin in 2021.
During this time, he raced in four grands prix for the team, filling in for Sergio Perez, Lance Stroll, and Sebastian Vettel.
Hulkenberg’s impressive fill-in drives led to a full-time return at Haas, where he’s consistently outworked teammate Kevin Magnussen.
On Nico’s departure, Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu expressed gratitude, stating: “I’d like to extend my thanks to Nico for his contributions to the team during his time with us.
He’s been a great team player, and we’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with him.
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“His experience and feedback have proven invaluable in improving our overall performance. Consequently, this is evident in both his qualifying and race performances in the VF-24 this season.”
“With plenty more racing left this year, we look forward to continuing to benefit from his inputs throughout the remainder of the 2024 season.”
Gaurang is a writer at the SportsOrbit covering articles related to F1,Gaurang was 14 when he cared more about playing football than studying. But when COVID hit and he had to stay home, he discovered Formula 1. It immediately caught his interest. Since then, he’s been really into Formula 1, watching every race and learning all about it. He still loves football, but now he’s also a big fan of Formula 1, especially Lewis Hamilton. Even though he loves racing, he still looks up to Cristiano Ronaldo as his idol.