Driver Nico Hülkenberg will compete for Stake F1 Group KICK Sauber for the next Method One season and past, having signed a multi-year contract that extends a minimum of till 2026. In that 12 months, he’ll grow to be the primary driver for Audi’s entry into the highest class of motorsport. With expertise from over 200 F1 races, Nico is an important constructing block for the persevering with profitable improvement of the crew. In parallel to his commitments for Stake F1 Group KICK Sauber within the 2025 season, he will likely be carefully concerned in growing Audi’s first F1 automobile for 2026.
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“We’re thrilled to welcome Nico Hülkenberg again to Hinwil from 2025 and to compete with him in Method One. His pace, expertise, and dedication to teamwork will likely be instrumental in our crew’s transformation and Audi’s F1 undertaking,” stated Andreas Seidl, CEO of Sauber Motorsport AG and the long run Audi F1 manufacturing unit crew. The choice to work collectively has not been taken calmly. There was a powerful mutual curiosity in constructing one thing long-term from the outset. Nico’s return to Sauber, a crew he has beforehand labored with and has a stable connection to, is a strategic transfer that underlines our dedication to success. His robust character {and professional} and private enter will undoubtedly assist us progress in automobile improvement and crew constructing.
Nico Hülkenberg is likely one of the most completed drivers in Method One. He has repeatedly confirmed his potential to determine himself rapidly in a brand new setting and deal with new challenges with dedication. This isn’t his first encounter with the crew. “I’m returning to the crew I labored with again in 2013 and have fond reminiscences of the robust crew spirit in Switzerland,” stated the racing driver from Emmerich-am-Rhein. “The prospect of competing for Audi is one thing extraordinary. When a German producer enters Method One with dedication, it’s a distinctive alternative. To characterize the manufacturing unit crew of such a automobile model with an influence unit made in Germany is a superb honour for me.”
Nico proved his expertise early on with 4 titles between 2005 and 2009 in probably the most crucial single-seater junior classes. In 2008, he attracted consideration throughout check drives in Method One earlier than making his debut in 2010, competing in additional than 200 races for seven completely different Method One groups. He has achieved quite a few podium finishes and has persistently carried out all through his profession. In an uncommon transfer for his era of drivers, Nico competed within the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) throughout an ongoing Method One season in 2015, successful the 24 Hours of Le Mans on his debut. His crew principal on the time was Andreas Seidl. All is about for a reunion.
Background data
With the choice to completely purchase the Sauber Group, AUDI AG in March has set an important course for his or her introduced entry into F1 in 2026 – thus accelerating Sauber’s transformation right into a manufacturing unit crew. As CEO of the long run Audi Method 1 manufacturing unit crew, Andreas Seidl oversees operational implementation. Oliver Hoffmann is chargeable for the Method 1 programme in his new function as Chief Consultant of the Audi Board of Administration. On this perform, he’s the chair of the boards of administrators of all Sauber corporations and the shareholders’ assembly of Audi Method Racing GmbH, which is chargeable for growing the ability unit on the Neuburg facility.
