Quitting Haas “a difficult decision” for Nico Hülkenberg
Despite some very interesting performances at the moment, Nico Hülkenberg will be leaving the Haas team at the end of the season. It wasn't an easy decision for the German driver, who will soon be joining the Audi project.
Nico Hülkenberg, a 36-year-old driver, will begin a new and likely final chapter in Formula 1 in 2025 by joining the German manufacturer, Audi. A multi-year contract awaits the poleman of the 2010 Brazilian Grand Prix, who will bring to the team his status as a leader and valuable experience, as explained by the team’s CEO, Andreas Seidl.
« Nico’s signature is the next step for Audi’s Formula 1 project. Thanks to his speed, experience, and dedicated team work, he will make a significant contribution to Audi’s entry in 2026 as early as next year. From the beginning, there has been a great mutual interest in tackling such a unique project together. Nico has a strong personality, his determination and desire, both professionally and personally, will help us progress in both car development and team building. »
A bold bet
This recruitment is essential for a team in need of an experienced man to successfully carry out its project. Although risky, given the current performance of the Sauber team, this choice is assumed by Hülkenberg, who has high hopes for the future of this future team.
« Obviously, I saw and heard a little about what Audi is doing and how they are making things happen behind the scenes. They have all the necessary ingredients to succeed in Formula 1 and it makes me as optimistic as possible, but as with everything in life, there are no guarantees. I didn’t have an offer from Red Bull, so it was the perfect offer for me, and it’s the one that was made to me.
By joining the Audi project, Hülkenberg joins a prestigious car brand, a symbol of his ambitions and his unwavering appetite for Formula 1. He expresses his gratitude for this unique opportunity.
When a German manufacturer ventures into Formula 1 with such determination, it is a unique opportunity. Representing the factory team of such a car brand with a powertrain made in Germany is a great honor for me.
This transfer involves leaving the American team Haas, which had recruited him in 2023, thus allowing his return to Formula 1 after three years at Aston Martin as a reserve driver. « A part of me is still grateful. [The people from the Haas team] made my return possible and indirectly gave me the opportunity to seek this new contract, because without them, I wouldn’t have had this offer, and I appreciate that. »
Focused on the Haas project
Hülkenberg also emphasizes the pleasure he had in working with the Haas team, especially with the engineers, mechanics, and Günther Steiner. It was not a given, as I really appreciate what I experience at Haas. I like working with the engineers, mechanics, with Ayao [Komatsu], as I enjoyed working with Günther [Steiner] last year.
While waiting to join Audi, Hülkenberg remains fully committed to Haas, as evidenced by his two sixth places in the last two race weekends.
« Besides, when I announced the news to [Ayao], I immediately told him: “Don’t think for a second that this will change anything for me this season, I am committed 100% to Haas, until the last corner.” No, we really can’t afford to lose motivation. Even if you think things are difficult, if you take a step back and look from the outside, it’s not so bad and everything is relative.
