Driver Nico Hülkenberg will compete for Stake F1 Crew KICK Sauber for the next Formulation One season and past, having signed a multi-year contract that extends no less than till 2026. In that 12 months, he’ll turn into 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 Crew KICK Sauber within the 2025 season, he shall 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 Formulation One. His pace, expertise, and dedication to teamwork shall be instrumental in our crew’s transformation and Audi’s F1 venture,” stated Andreas Seidl, CEO of Sauber Motorsport AG and the long run Audi F1 manufacturing facility crew. The choice to work collectively has not been taken evenly. There was a robust 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 persona {and professional} and private enter will undoubtedly assist us progress in automobile improvement and crew constructing.
Nico Hülkenberg is likely one of the most achieved drivers in Formulation One. He has repeatedly confirmed his means to determine himself rapidly in a brand new surroundings and sort out 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 Formulation One with dedication, it’s a distinctive alternative. To characterize the manufacturing facility 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 take a look at drives in Formulation One earlier than making his debut in 2010, competing in additional than 200 races for seven completely different Formulation One groups. He has achieved quite a few podium finishes and has constantly 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 Formulation One season in 2015, profitable 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 totally 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 facility crew. As CEO of the long run Audi Formulation 1 manufacturing facility crew, Andreas Seidl oversees operational implementation. Oliver Hoffmann is answerable for the Formulation 1 programme in his new position 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 Formulation Racing GmbH, which is answerable for growing the ability unit on the Neuburg facility.
