Nico Hulkenberg has officially signed a multi-year contract with the Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber. The 36-year-old will depart from Haas F1 racing team towards the end of 2024 racing season. Nico will be the first driver to drive for the Audi factory F1 racing team in 2026 and play a crucial role in the development of Audi’s first-ever Formula 1 racing car.
Upon making the announcement, Andreas Seidi, CEO of Sauber Motorsport AG and also CEO of the future Audi F1 factory team said, “We are very pleased to welcome Nico back here in Hinwil from 2025 and to compete with him in Formula One. 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,”
He further 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.”
Speaking of Hulkenberg’s departure, Ayao Komatsu, Haas Team Principal said, “I’d like to extend my thanks to Nico for his contributions to the team in the time that he’s been here with us – he’s been a great team player and someone we very much enjoy working with.
Since Nico is out from Haas towards the end of 2024 season, he leaves a seat behind up for grabs. While there are multiple options in the driver’s market, Haas is keen to have Oliver Bearman as a replacement to Nico, after his impressive debut at the 2024 Jeddah Grand Prix, where he replaced Carlos Sainz.
Carlos Sainz, who is set to leave Ferrari towards the end of 2024 racing season, is also said to be on the cards to take the second seat at the Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber. The Spaniard is under consideration for the future Audi factory racing team and sources suggest that he is evaluating the offer made by Audi. In case Sainz heads to Stake, both of the current Stake F1 Team racing drivers — Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu will be on their way out from the team.