Hulkenberg's First Reaction To Signing Deal With Sauber: 'Great Honour'

Friday, 26 April 2024 at 13:30

Nico Hulkenberg and the CEO of Sauber, Andreas Seidl, both reacted to the new contract announcement with the German driver.

On April 26th, Nico Hulkenberg's new "multi-year" contract with Sauber was announced. The 36-year-old will be leaving Haas, for which he has been driving for two seasons since his return to F1.

On the one hand, Hulkenberg will be joining a team that is currently standing last in the Championship. On the other hand, Sauber is in the middle of transition and preparation for the Audi takeover in 2026.

That is the main thing the German driver is looking forward to. Hulkenberg has previously worked with Sauber in 2013, as he mentioned in the official statement shared by Sauber:

"I'm returning to the team I worked with back in 2013 and have fond memories of the strong team spirit in Switzerland."

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"The prospect of competing for Audi is something very special. When a German manufacturer enters Formula 1 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 honour for me."

It was suggested for a while that the 36-year-old Haas driver was on top of the list of Andreas Seidl, who is CEO of Sauber Motorsport AG and also the future CEO of the Audi F1 factory team. The 48-year-old CEO said:

"We are very pleased to welcome Nico back here in Hinwil from 2025 and to compete with him in Formula 1."

"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."

Hulkenberg has been in F1 for 14 seasons and belongs to the quickest and most reliable drivers on the grid. His experience will be essential for the team, as Seidl added:

"Right from the start, there was great mutual interest in building something long-term together. Nico is a strong personality, and his input, on a professional and personal level, will help us to make progress both in the development of the car and in building up the team."

Signing the Haas F1 driver is the first important step for Sauber and future Audi. Another driver on their list is Carlos Sainz, who has reportedly been given a deadline until mid-May to decide.