Hülkenberg expects a year of building for Sauber
After two seasons with Haas following his return to the discipline, Hülkenberg is now beginning his next chapter with Sauber, a team he already raced for in 2013.
Nico Hülkenberg anticipates a year of building for Sauber in 2025, noting that the team still has a long way to go, as they foresee significant progress after a challenging season.
At the F1 75 Live season launch event in London, Hülkenberg spoke about his return to Sauber: « There were quite a few familiar faces, especially in the factory. I think the racing team has changed a lot. But yes, it brings back old memories from 2013. I think the atmosphere is quite positive, […] Obviously, [the team] had a tough season last year, but they are very motivated to turn things around and write a different story this year. »
The upcoming season will mark the final year before the team comes under Audi’s umbrella in 2026, and Hülkenberg provided insight into Sauber’s goals with this long-term vision in mind.
It’s sort of a building year. Our goal is to be competitive and score as many points as possible. We must always remember where we came from last year, it’s a tough starting point. We’ve worked hard all winter, but for now, we can only obviously speculate about our current position and that of others. We will seize opportunities when they arise.
The process has started now, and behind the scenes, many things are already underway regarding next year, which is a big thing and exciting, especially for me, as a German with a German manufacturer and factory team. There are many things to look forward to, and [I] can’t wait to start the season soon.
While several drivers have recently been left without a seat, including Kevin Magnussen, Hülkenberg’s former teammate at Haas, the German driver remains on the grid. When a journalist asked him why that might be the case, Hülkenberg emphasized how much he enjoyed his return to F1, as he explained:
« It’s about knowing where you stand with the team, how competitive you are, but ultimately, ultimately, it’s about delivering results, bringing value to the team. I think that for me, in 2023 and last year, [things] have gone in a very positive and successful way. It kind of gave me this new opportunity, this new deal with Sauber and next year with Audi. I think that’s basically it. »
Regarding last year, Nico Hülkenberg states: « I really had a great time, I enjoyed myself, probably more than ever before in Formula 1, even more than during my first stint in F1. Feel it, love it, live it! »
