Formula 1 News: Hulkenberg not ruling out Audi-Sauber switch (Update)

(GMM) Nico Hulkenberg is not ruling out a switch to another Formula 1 team – perhaps the new Sauber-Audi project.

The German says he has enjoyed his return to the sport this year with the struggling American team Haas, which finished dead last in 2023.

But Hulkenberg, 36, has also been recently outspoken about progress at Haas – especially the late-season ‘B’-spec car upgrade which he says delivered “nothing” in terms of lap time.

“Sobering and alarming,” he has now told Auto Motor und Sport when asked how he felt when he realized that the team’s efforts to improve had backfired.

“We have to be honest with ourselves and admit that it doesn’t meet our needs if we put so much work into converting the car and then the end result is almost the same. It’s our job to do better next year,” he added.

Hulkenberg says it’s even “no consolation yet” that technical partner Ferrari managed to mainly solve its excessive tire wear issues with 2023 upgrades – which Haas may now benefit from in terms of supplied parts for next year.

“I do not praise the day before the evening,” he said. “Let’s wait and see what happens next year.”

When asked to try to pin down why Haas struggled so much to improve in 2023, Hulkenberg answered: “There are several things that come into play: size of the team, budget, infrastructure, the quality of the people.”

As F1’s only active German racer, Hulkenberg has already been linked with Audi, who are progressively taking over the Sauber team ahead of a full works project for 2026.

Hulkenberg would be free to make that move for 2025, so when asked if that is a real option for him, he said: “Only time will tell.

“Let’s see how the season goes next year. Do we have a competitive car? Which people are recommended for which tasks?

“I can’t answer with confidence now. We probably have to position ourselves a little differently internally so that the same thing doesn’t happen again.”

As one of F1’s most experienced drivers, he understands that his services might now be in demand at teams that are much more competitive than Haas.

“Fernando (Alonso) and Lewis (Hamilton) are good ambassadors,” he smiled. “They show that you can still be fast when you’re older.”

When asked if he can imagine still be racing in F1 at the age of 42, like Alonso, he said: “I’m 36 now. As of today, yes.”

(GMM) Nico Hulkenberg says it’s not his problem that his performance in 2023 may have terminally ended Mick Schumacher’s Formula 1 career.

The 35-year-old was drafted in by Haas to replace his struggling young German compatriot Schumacher this year – and has even showed the way at times for the team incumbent Kevin Magnussen.

Boss Gunther Steiner admitted a 2024 contract confirmation for Hulkenberg is now likely.

“I think they’re quite happy,” Hulkenberg smiled when asked about that by Sport1.

As for whether he is aware that his performance has potentially buried Schumacher’s chances of ever returning to the grid, he added: “That’s not on my radar.

“I deal with my situation and how we can improve. I’m not trying to bury anyone – I’m just doing my job and having fun.

“And it’s always clear that this is a very tough and performance-related business. It was no different for me.

“If you don’t perform, you’ll be gone sooner or later,” Hulkenberg said.

But with his own stock so high at present, some are even thinking that Hulkenberg – as the only active German racer in F1 – is an obvious choice to be signed by Audi for 2026.

Related Article: Hulkenberg not yet dreaming of Audi seat

“At the moment I’m just living in the present,” he insisted. “That’s what suits me very well.

“In 2026, I’m 38 and I’m not looking that far into the future at the moment.”

However, the impressive form of the almost-42-year-old Fernando Alonso at present might give Hulkenberg some hope that he can remain in F1 for quite some time.

“That may be the case in theory, but is it the same for me? Every person is different,” he responded.

“As you get older, your mind and your reflexes slow down. Things still seem to be going well for Alonso but I can’t predict when that will start for me.

“Everything is working fine at the moment. And as long as that’s the case and I’m having fun, I’ll try to keep going,” said Hulkenberg.