Nico Hulkenberg believes receiving a call from Audi CEO Gernot Doellner when making the switch from Haas to Sauber for next season “shows respect” and underlines the German manufacturer’s commitment to its Formula 1 project.
Audi will take over the Hinwil-based outfit when joining the grid in 2026, with Hulkenberg recruited as the first confirmed driver for the team earlier this season as its preparations off track continue to take shape.
Hulkenberg was contacted by Doellner himself, and asked how important that was to him, he said: “I don’t know about important, but I think it’s certainly nice.
“It shows respect and shows how serious he and the brand are about it and that they’re not taking this lightly, that they paying attention. They do see what’s happening, what’s going on and that was good. Very good.”
For Hulkenberg, the call to front a German manufacturer’s bid in F1 marks a stunning career turnaround.
He was dropped by Renault at the end of the 2020 season and would spend three years on the sidelines as reserve driver for Silverstone-based Racing Point, then Aston Martin.
But with the COVID-19 pandemic offering race opportunities as a substitute, Hulkenberg was able to impress on-track and earn his way back onto the grid and, when Haas searched for a replacement for Mick Schumacher ahead of the 2023 campaign, he was called upon to fill the void.
Nico Hulkenberg, Haas VF-24, leads Zhou Guanyu, Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber C44
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
It is clear that Hulkenberg has faced challenges throughout his F1 career and the Audi project will be no different.
“It is a big challenge, no question about that,” he said. “Going to what will be Audi, what will be a German manufacturer, German driver, a lot of attention, a lot of expectation – it’s not going to be an easy one.
“But my approach to my work and the definition isn’t changing. I’m going to go there with everything I have and then try to contribute in and out of the car as much as I can.
“That’s what I love doing and hopefully, collectively, we can make it a success.”
The move sparks opportunity for Hulkenberg that perhaps isn’t available at Haas, given the manufacturer status, but while the ceiling for success may be higher, he warned the same can be said conversely.
“Well, if you don’t perform the pressure is on there more, you’re more under the spotlight,” Hulkenberg explained. “It’s going to be a lot more PR work…
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