One Seat In Audi Is Reportedly Already Unofficially Occupied By One Of F1 Drivers

According to a recent report, one seat in Audi already has its owner, but it's not official yet, and Audi is now only waiting for the driver's signature.

Famous German car manufacturer Audi will enter F1 at the start of the 2026 season. The team we now know as Stake or Sauber will be rebranded and restructured for Audi.

Audi comes to Formula 1 with a big vision and intentions of competing for the Championship. The team also plans to produce their own power units, which only underlines their level of commitment.

The German manufacturer is a serious competitor and has achieved success in multiple other series, such as the World Rally Championship (WRC) and the World Endurance Championship (WEC).

However, F1 is something completely different, and it is expected that it will take Audi a few seasons before they can compete for the championship with established F1 teams like Mercedes, Ferrari, or Red Bull.

The German team will need an experienced driver who can guide and help their development and make the most of the car on track without mistakes in the first seasons.

It was said the team was very interested in Carlos Sainz and has reportedly offered the Spaniard a very lucrative offer. But while they wait for his decision, F1-Insider reports the team has reached an agreement with Nico Hulkenberg:

According to information from F1-Insider, Hulkenberg wanted to drive for Sauber (future Audi) already this season, but Haas didn't allow him to leave. The report also suggests the 36-year-old has "at least" a 3-year deal on the table.