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German racing driver Nico Hülkenberg is set to bid farewell to the Haas Formula 1 Team at the conclusion of the 2024 season. The announcement comes after a two-year stint with the American squad, during which Hülkenberg made a significant impact on the team.
Hülkenberg’s return to Formula 1 in 2023 marked his comeback after a three-year absence from a full-time F1 drive. His experience and feedback have been invaluable to Haas, contributing to improvements in both qualifying and race performances. The 36-year-old driver has accumulated four points so far this season, currently placing him 13th in the drivers’ standings.
Ayao Komatsu, who took over as Haas Team Principal in January 2024, expressed gratitude for Hülkenberg’s contributions: “I’d like to extend my thanks to Nico for his time with us. He’s been a great team player, and we’ve enjoyed working with him. His insights have played a crucial role in enhancing our overall performance, as evident in the VF-24’s performance this season. We look forward to benefiting from his inputs throughout the remainder of 2024”
As Hülkenberg departs Haas, the question arises: who will replace him in 2025? The answer remains unknown at this point. Haas has yet to announce his replacement. The team, founded by Gene Haas and entering the sport in 2016, faces an intriguing decision as they plan for the future.
Meanwhile, Hülkenberg’s next destination is confirmed: he will join Sauber for the 2025 season. Sauber, soon to be rebranded as the Audi works team, has secured the German driver on a multi-year deal. This move positions Hülkenberg as part of Audi’s ambitious project in Formula 1, which is set to make waves in the coming years. “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.
“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.” said Andreas Seidl, CEO of Sauber Motorsport and future Audi F1 team.
