The driver market continues to move well before the traditional summer heights of “silly season”. This morning, Haas announced that it will part ways with Nico Hulkenberg at the end of 2024. Only minutes later, Stake F1 Kick Sauber announced their deal with the German driver.
Haas is enjoying an excellent start to the championship so far. This is largely thanks to Hulkenberg, who has already claimed three points in 2024. On behalf of the entire squad, team principal Ayao Komatsu outlined his contributions:
“I would like to extend my thanks to Nico for his contribution to the team in the time he has been here with us. He has been a great player of the squad.
“His experience and feedback have proven invaluable to us in terms of improving our overall performance. A fact clearly evident in both his qualifying and race performances in this season’s VF-24.
“There are many more races to be had this year. So we look forward to continuing to benefit from his guidance.”
STAKE KICK SAUBER’S WELCOME
As mentioned, the Swiss team officially hired Hulkenberg shortly after. In two years, they will compete as the Audi F1 Team, using the German brand’s engines.
The exact duration of the contract is unclear, but it is highlighted that the agreement is multi-year, making reference to the advent of the German company:
“Driver Nico Hülkenberg will compete for Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber for the next F1 season and beyond. The German driver has signed a multi-year contract and, in 2026, will become the first driver for Audi’s entry into the top class of motorsport.”
The one-year early signing is important because it will allow the German expert, with over 200 F1 grands prix under his belt, to be involved in the development of the single-seater for the 2026 season.
MUTUAL INTEREST BETWEEN BOTH PARTIES
The 36-year-old Hulkenberg will reunite with Andreas Seidl, CEO of the Swiss team. Back in 2015, Seidl was the team principal of Porsche’s victorious 24 Hours of Le Mans team. The German driver was an integral part of the team’s success. Seidl explained the choice to hire Nico Hulkenberg as follows:
“We are very pleased to welcome Nico here to Hinwil and to compete with him in F1.
“With his speed, his experience and his commitment to teamwork, he will be an important part of the transformation of our team and Audi’s F1 project.
“From the beginning there was a great mutual interest in building something long-term together.
“Nico is a strong personality and his contribution, on a professional and personal level, will help us make progress both in the development of the car and in building the team.“
HULKENBERG RETURNS TO SAUBER
In addition to reuniting with Seidl, for Nico Hulkenberg. He will return to the team he raced with in 2013. It was at the Swiss team that he became a sought-after name in the market.
“I’m returning to the team I worked with in 2013, and I have fond memories of the strong team spirit in Switzerland. The prospect of competing for Audi is something very special.
“When a German manufacturer enters F1 with such determination, it is a unique opportunity. Representing the official team of such an automotive brand with a power unit produced in Germany is a great honour for me.”
DRIVER MARKET IMPACT
The hiring of Hulkenberg moves another box in the drivers’ market. Haas has not yet given any particular indications on the possible replacement. In recent years, the American team have been very hesitant with their driver selection.
Only at the end of 2022 did Hulkenberg was announced as Schumacher’s replacement. A very strong candidate for the seat of the American team is Oliver Bearman. The youngster is already scheduled to complete six FP1 sessions with Haas in 2024.
As for Audi, the most popular name for the seat remains Carlos Sainz. This partnership has been mentioned for an extensive period. Helmut Marko claims that a significant offer has already been made to the three-time race winner.
