Audi’s potential acquisition of Nico Hulkenberg for the 2025 Formula One season through to 2027 with Sauber, which Audi now owns, appears virtually confirmed. Speculation was rife on F1-insider.com, a noted German motorsport website, about Audi’s intention to finalise this arrangement by mid-May. Ralf Bach, a correspondent for the site, has indicated that the agreement is on the verge of completion, with just “the signature still missing.”
When probed by the media regarding these whispers, 36-year-old Hulkenberg maintained his distance from the rumour mill, stating, “I don’t participate in speculation.”
Meanwhile, a similar timeline looms over Carlos Sainz, who has until mid-May to accept an offer from Audi, with official announcements expected by the end of May. This development spells trouble for Sauber’s current lineup, Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou. However, it might be a silver lining for Oliver Bearman, who is rumoured to be Hulkenberg’s successor at Haas.
In a blunt assessment of the current talent at Sauber, Ralf Schumacher, a seasoned F1 driver, expressed his views clearly: “Bottas is past his prime and Guanyu is not good enough at the end of the day.”
Audi’s ambitions don’t just stop at driver acquisitions. They are strategically planning to strengthen their team continuously, aiming to be in a prime position by 2026 when the sport undergoes a significant overhaul in car and engine regulations. “Audi wants to get stronger every year and be optimally positioned in 2026, when there are new car and engine regulations. With Hulkenberg and Sainz, they certainly will be,” Schumacher said.
On the other hand, Finn Bottas, previously celebrated for his race-winning stint with Mercedes, now finds himself in a precarious position, struggling to secure his place in future F1 lineups. He remarked optimistically, yet cautiously, “There aren’t many options, but they are there.”
GMM
